English grammar problems :) Hey everyone, I have two questions that I cannot solve: First, I don't understand the sentence: The secretary had the messenger deliver the envelope as soon as possible.

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Valentin 白云天

English grammar problems :) Hey everyone, I have two questions that I cannot solve: First, I don't understand the sentence: The secretary had the messenger deliver the envelope as soon as possible. Does it mean that the secretary put the messenger in charge of delivering the envelope as soon as possible? In that case, the structure: (Have someone + Verb) would mean make someone do something? Or does it have a completely different meaning? Also, I have this sentence: When the directors.... a profit, they'll be satisfied. I filled that up like that : When the directors will see a profit, they'll be satisfied But apparently, one cannot use future when there is also the future in the subordinate. Therefore, the right answer would be : When the directors see a profit, they'll be satisfied. I can, then, never say : When this will occur, He will be delighted or something else...?? One should always write : When this occur, he will be delighted ? I really cannot? Thanks for everything!!

Corrections · 5

English grammar problems :)

Hey everyone, I have two questions that I cannot resolve:

First, I don't understand the sentence: The secretary had the messenger deliver the envelope as soon as possible.

Does it mean that the secretary put the messenger in charge of delivering the envelope as soon as possible? In that case, the structure: (Have someone + Verb) would mean make someone do something? - Yes, this would be equivalent to «Le secrétaire fait livrer (à livreur)...» The secretary had another person do something for him/her.

Or does it have a completely different meaning?

Also, I have this sentence: When the directors.... a profit, they'll be satisfied.

I filled that up like that: When the directors ~~will~~ see a profit, they'll be satisfied . - "The "will see" is French grammar to put the hypothetical/condition in the future, but it is the present in English grammar

But apparently, one cannot use future when there is also the future in the subordinate. Therefore, the right answer would be: When the directors see a profit, they'll be satisfied.

I can, then, never say: When this will occurs, he will be delighted or something else...?? - Correct, you do not use the future for the conditional

One should always write : When this occurs, he will be delighted?

I really cannot? - Correct, it's different in English. We will say: "When + present...". Ex: When my parents return from vacation, we will celebrate my dad's birthday."

Thanks for everything!!

Hi Valentin! I hope this message helps you. Feel free to message me if you have any additional questions.

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First, I don't understand the sentence: The secretary had the messenger deliver the envelope as soon as possible.

Does it mean that the secretary put the messenger in charge of delivering the envelope as soon as possible? In that case, the structure: (Have someone + Verb) would mean make someone do something?

YOU ARE CORRECT

--> You also can "have to do something" yourself. As in "je dois faire qqch" - I must or I am required to do something.

Also, I have this sentence: When the directors.... a profit, they'll be satisfied.

I filled that up like that : When the directors will see a profit, they'll be satisfied

But apparently, one cannot use future when there is also the future in the subordinate. Therefore, the right answer would be : When the directors see a profit, they'll be satisfied. THIS IS CORRECT

I can, then, never say : When this will occur, He will be delighted or something else...?? One should always write : When this occur, he will be delighted ? CORRECT. I have no idea why both parts of the sentence are not in the future. Perhaps it's the first part of the sentence: "when". It could also be "if". As in "If I pass my exams, I will celebrate."

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