TIP: Click on subject to list as thread! ANSI
echo: english_tutor
to: ANTON SHEPELEV
from: ARDITH HINTON
date: 2020-05-26 17:42:00
subject: A question about tenses

Hi, Anton!  Recently you wrote in a message to Ardith Hinton:

AH>  If a joke begins with e.g. "Three guys go into a bar"
AH>  I expect it to continue in the same vein.

AS>  Do not they "walk" into a bar?


            Usually they do, AFAIK... and I considered saying "walk".  But I've
also seen variations like the one Denis posted here in which the three guys are
replaced by an animal (even a kangaroo?), or by musical instruments & suchlike.
While I understand the term "walking bass", I'm not sure I know how to describe
accurately what method of locomotion others use.  When I asked my friends Barry
Sax, Otto Harp, and Penny Whistle for input on the topic they all replied sadly
... because of the COVID-19 situation... "Don't get around much any more".  :-Q



AS>  I compiled an epic list of English-related bar jokes by
AS>  members of alt.usage.english.usage


            You've obviously done a lot more research on them than I have.  But
what matters for purposes of this discussion is how we use verb tenses....  :-)




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* Origin: Wits' End, Vancouver CANADA (1:153/716)

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