Subj : I did done a bit of fussing about Christmas dinner, with Andrew nixing
To   : Denis Mosko
From : Ardith Hinton
Date : Mon Jan 04 2021 23:52:19

Hi, Denis!  Recently you wrote in a message to All:

DM>  I did thaw a prime steak


          The original version said
ML>  We'd done a bit of fussing [...] so it was agreed
ML>  we'd [...].

          The first "we'd" is a contraction of "WE HAD" while the second is a contraction of "WE WOULD".  In informal usage both are correct.

          Native speakers use "did" as an auxiliary verb in questions... e.g. "Did you thaw the meat?"  In declarative sentences, however, constructions of the sort you're attempting seem to be limited to dialectical usage.



DM>  Also, as he hirself pointed out, his finances are
DM>  such that I can buy any meat in the store pretty
DM>  much whenever we want it, which of course means
DM>  that special occasions are every day, a bit of
DM>  monotony as she wants steak after steak


          While I understand your efforts to change the pronouns here to suit another individual, they need a bit of fine-tuning.



          The original version said
ML>  Also, as she herself pointed out,

          That's correct, but if one is referring to a male it's usual to say "HE HIMSELF".  From what the author has said there's no doubt in my mind that Lilli is female.  I reckon Andrew is male unless you indicate otherwise.  :-)



ML>  her finances are such that we can buy any meat in
ML>  the store pretty much whenever we want it,


          You got the gender change there...



ML>  which of course means that special occasions are every
ML>  day, a bit of monotony as she wants steak after steak,


          ... but you missed it here.  By changing "we" to "I" in one part of the sentence but not another you also seem to be implying that you shop alone for groceries, even if your friend is paying for some or all of them....  :-)




--- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+
 * Origin: Wits' End, Vancouver CANADA (1:153/716)

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