johnmck Posted September 15, 2005 at 10:06 AM Report Share Posted September 15, 2005 at 10:06 AM What is the difference between: 你什么时候去英国? and 你什么时候去的英国? I translate them as: When did/will you go to England? When was/will-be your English trip? But from the usage I have seen it appears that one is to do with the future and the other the past. What is the difference between these two sentences? John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trevelyan Posted September 15, 2005 at 10:22 AM Report Share Posted September 15, 2005 at 10:22 AM 你什么时候去的英国 Where did you find this written down? I've never run into this usage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geraldc Posted September 15, 2005 at 11:04 AM Report Share Posted September 15, 2005 at 11:04 AM Isn't it the good old 是的 construction again minus the 是 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HashiriKata Posted September 15, 2005 at 11:05 AM Report Share Posted September 15, 2005 at 11:05 AM You're right, geraldc! 你什么时候去的英国 is a version of : 你是什么时候去的英国 which in turn is a version of : 你是什么时候去英国的 which means: When did you go to England? Cheers, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elina Posted September 15, 2005 at 11:05 AM Report Share Posted September 15, 2005 at 11:05 AM 你什么时候去英国? (问将来的事情) When will you go to England? 你什么时候去的英国? (问以前的事情) When did you go to England? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipponman Posted September 15, 2005 at 11:25 AM Report Share Posted September 15, 2005 at 11:25 AM I think the second one is asking for a question . That is why it is translated as past tense. Just thought I'd point that out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam1024 Posted September 15, 2005 at 02:01 PM Report Share Posted September 15, 2005 at 02:01 PM 你什么时候去英国? When will you go to U.K.? 你什么时候去的英国? When have you been U.K.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnmck Posted September 15, 2005 at 04:16 PM Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2005 at 04:16 PM I always understood that the 是...的 constuct was used to emphasis one point in a sentence with the 是 being put before the object that is to be emphasised and 的 at the end of the sentence. I found the examples at the following website: http://en.chinabroadcast.cn/2432/2005-1-14/68@177721.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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