hope/like to have pp

English grammar questions, answered by Alan

Moderator: Alan

Post Reply
Cosmos
Rising Star
Rising Star
Posts: 126
Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2004 4:53 am

hope/like to have pp

Post by Cosmos »

Hello, teacher!

Would you please tell me if these all have the same meaning? #2 and #4 look strange to me. Are they correct?

1. I hoped to say hello to you, but you were already gone.
2. I hope to have said hello to you, but you were already gone.
3. I would have liked to say hello to you, but you were already gone.
4. I would like to have said hello to you, but you were already gone.

Thank you very much.
User avatar
Alan
Teacher/Moderator
Teacher/Moderator
Posts: 15204
Joined: Mon Dec 29, 2003 7:56 pm
Status: Teacher of English
Location: Japan

Post by Alan »

All fine (and essentially identical in meaning) except #2, which is grammatical but absurd.
Post Reply