“Seemed to had” is it correct?
.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__bot-mid-leaderboard:empty{ margin-bottom:0;
}
Here's a sentence I made up:
"He seemed to had not understood what I had said to him"
Is this sentence correct? I tried searching for similar sentences by putting quotation marks around 'seemed to had not', and out popped roughly 5-6 results, but that doesn't seem to be that many, especially because some of those could've been mistakes, and I couldn't find any questions like this.
Also, assuming it is correct, if I change the position of 'not', like so:
"He seemed to not had understood what I had said to him"
Would it still be grammatical?
grammar grammaticality
asked 3 hours ago
FrostC0FrostC0
359210
add a comment |
Here's a sentence I made up:
"He seemed to had not understood what I had said to him"
Is this sentence correct? I tried searching for similar sentences by putting quotation marks around 'seemed to had not', and out popped roughly 5-6 results, but that doesn't seem to be that many, especially because some of those could've been mistakes, and I couldn't find any questions like this.
Also, assuming it is correct, if I change the position of 'not', like so:
"He seemed to not had understood what I had said to him"
Would it still be grammatical?
grammar grammaticality
asked 3 hours ago
FrostC0FrostC0
359210
add a comment |
Here's a sentence I made up:
"He seemed to had not understood what I had said to him"
Is this sentence correct? I tried searching for similar sentences by putting quotation marks around 'seemed to had not', and out popped roughly 5-6 results, but that doesn't seem to be that many, especially because some of those could've been mistakes, and I couldn't find any questions like this.
Also, assuming it is correct, if I change the position of 'not', like so:
"He seemed to not had understood what I had said to him"
Would it still be grammatical?
grammar grammaticality
asked 3 hours ago
FrostC0FrostC0
359210
Here's a sentence I made up:
"He seemed to had not understood what I had said to him"
Is this sentence correct? I tried searching for similar sentences by putting quotation marks around 'seemed to had not', and out popped roughly 5-6 results, but that doesn't seem to be that many, especially because some of those could've been mistakes, and I couldn't find any questions like this.
Also, assuming it is correct, if I change the position of 'not', like so:
"He seemed to not had understood what I had said to him"
Would it still be grammatical?
grammar grammaticality
grammar grammaticality
asked 3 hours ago
FrostC0FrostC0
359210
asked 3 hours ago
FrostC0FrostC0
359210
asked 3 hours ago
FrostC0FrostC0
359210
asked 3 hours ago
FrostC0FrostC0
359210
asked 3 hours ago
FrostC0FrostC0
359210
359210
add a comment |
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
No matter where you put the "not", a statement with "to had" isn't grammatical. The construction you are using is "seem" + to-infinitive. The infinitive for the verb have/had is "to have", not "to had."
This is discussed in detail on the BBC "Learning English" website:
seem / appear to + infinitive
After seem and appear we often use a
to + infinitive construction ( or a perfect infinitive construction
for past events).
...
So what you should say is either of:
He seemed not to have understood what I had said to him.
He seemed to have not understood what I had said to him.
He seemed to not have understood what I had said to him.
The "not" could really go in any of those 3 places, but the first possibility sounds smoother and more idiomatic. The last sentence sounds the least natural to me, even slightly awkward.
answered 3 hours ago
Lorel C.Lorel C.
4,7421510
The word order in sentences 2 and 3 has only become acceptable in the last 2 or 3 decades.
– phoog
3 hours ago
Thank you for the help!
– FrostC0
3 hours ago
@phoog: I don't think the sticklers ever objected to 2 particularly, though they certainly did to 3.
– Colin Fine
3 hours ago
@ColinFine in my experience it's not so much about sticklers as just the sentences that people would actually say or write.
– phoog
2 hours ago
add a comment |
No,
He seemed to had not understood what I had said to him.
is not grammatical at all, and neither is your other construction.
Here's what you should use:
He seemed not to have understood what I had said to him.
answered 3 hours ago
RobustoRobusto
12.5k23044
1
Could you explain why it's incorrect, if you don't mind of course.
– FrostC0
3 hours ago
add a comment |
to has to be followed by a bare infinitive or perfect infinitive:
He seems to understand. [bare, present]
He seems to have understood. [perfect infinitive, past idea or tense]
The perfect infinitive is have + the past participle.
answered 3 hours ago
LambieLambie
17.6k1540
add a comment |
Your Answer
StackExchange.ready(function() {
var channelOptions = {
tags: "".split(" "),
id: "481"
};
initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);
StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
// Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
createEditor();
});
}
else {
createEditor();
}
});
function createEditor() {
StackExchange.prepareEditor({
heartbeatType: 'answer',
autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
convertImagesToLinks: false,
noModals: true,
showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
reputationToPostImages: null,
bindNavPrevention: true,
postfix: "",
imageUploader: {
brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
allowUrls: true
},
noCode: true, onDemand: true,
discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
});
}
});
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fell.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f205625%2fseemed-to-had-is-it-correct%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
No matter where you put the "not", a statement with "to had" isn't grammatical. The construction you are using is "seem" + to-infinitive. The infinitive for the verb have/had is "to have", not "to had."
This is discussed in detail on the BBC "Learning English" website:
seem / appear to + infinitive
After seem and appear we often use a
to + infinitive construction ( or a perfect infinitive construction
for past events).
...
So what you should say is either of:
He seemed not to have understood what I had said to him.
He seemed to have not understood what I had said to him.
He seemed to not have understood what I had said to him.
The "not" could really go in any of those 3 places, but the first possibility sounds smoother and more idiomatic. The last sentence sounds the least natural to me, even slightly awkward.
answered 3 hours ago
Lorel C.Lorel C.
4,7421510
The word order in sentences 2 and 3 has only become acceptable in the last 2 or 3 decades.
– phoog
3 hours ago
Thank you for the help!
– FrostC0
3 hours ago
@phoog: I don't think the sticklers ever objected to 2 particularly, though they certainly did to 3.
– Colin Fine
3 hours ago
@ColinFine in my experience it's not so much about sticklers as just the sentences that people would actually say or write.
– phoog
2 hours ago
add a comment |
No matter where you put the "not", a statement with "to had" isn't grammatical. The construction you are using is "seem" + to-infinitive. The infinitive for the verb have/had is "to have", not "to had."
This is discussed in detail on the BBC "Learning English" website:
seem / appear to + infinitive
After seem and appear we often use a
to + infinitive construction ( or a perfect infinitive construction
for past events).
...
So what you should say is either of:
He seemed not to have understood what I had said to him.
He seemed to have not understood what I had said to him.
He seemed to not have understood what I had said to him.
The "not" could really go in any of those 3 places, but the first possibility sounds smoother and more idiomatic. The last sentence sounds the least natural to me, even slightly awkward.
answered 3 hours ago
Lorel C.Lorel C.
4,7421510
The word order in sentences 2 and 3 has only become acceptable in the last 2 or 3 decades.
– phoog
3 hours ago
Thank you for the help!
– FrostC0
3 hours ago
@phoog: I don't think the sticklers ever objected to 2 particularly, though they certainly did to 3.
– Colin Fine
3 hours ago
@ColinFine in my experience it's not so much about sticklers as just the sentences that people would actually say or write.
– phoog
2 hours ago
add a comment |
No matter where you put the "not", a statement with "to had" isn't grammatical. The construction you are using is "seem" + to-infinitive. The infinitive for the verb have/had is "to have", not "to had."
This is discussed in detail on the BBC "Learning English" website:
seem / appear to + infinitive
After seem and appear we often use a
to + infinitive construction ( or a perfect infinitive construction
for past events).
...
So what you should say is either of:
He seemed not to have understood what I had said to him.
He seemed to have not understood what I had said to him.
He seemed to not have understood what I had said to him.
The "not" could really go in any of those 3 places, but the first possibility sounds smoother and more idiomatic. The last sentence sounds the least natural to me, even slightly awkward.
answered 3 hours ago
Lorel C.Lorel C.
4,7421510
No matter where you put the "not", a statement with "to had" isn't grammatical. The construction you are using is "seem" + to-infinitive. The infinitive for the verb have/had is "to have", not "to had."
This is discussed in detail on the BBC "Learning English" website:
seem / appear to + infinitive
After seem and appear we often use a
to + infinitive construction ( or a perfect infinitive construction
for past events).
...
So what you should say is either of:
He seemed not to have understood what I had said to him.
He seemed to have not understood what I had said to him.
He seemed to not have understood what I had said to him.
The "not" could really go in any of those 3 places, but the first possibility sounds smoother and more idiomatic. The last sentence sounds the least natural to me, even slightly awkward.
answered 3 hours ago
Lorel C.Lorel C.
4,7421510
edited 3 hours ago
answered 3 hours ago
Lorel C.Lorel C.
4,7421510
answered 3 hours ago
Lorel C.Lorel C.
4,7421510
answered 3 hours ago
Lorel C.Lorel C.
4,7421510
4,7421510
The word order in sentences 2 and 3 has only become acceptable in the last 2 or 3 decades.
– phoog
3 hours ago
Thank you for the help!
– FrostC0
3 hours ago
@phoog: I don't think the sticklers ever objected to 2 particularly, though they certainly did to 3.
– Colin Fine
3 hours ago
@ColinFine in my experience it's not so much about sticklers as just the sentences that people would actually say or write.
– phoog
2 hours ago
add a comment |
The word order in sentences 2 and 3 has only become acceptable in the last 2 or 3 decades.
– phoog
3 hours ago
Thank you for the help!
– FrostC0
3 hours ago
@phoog: I don't think the sticklers ever objected to 2 particularly, though they certainly did to 3.
– Colin Fine
3 hours ago
@ColinFine in my experience it's not so much about sticklers as just the sentences that people would actually say or write.
– phoog
2 hours ago
The word order in sentences 2 and 3 has only become acceptable in the last 2 or 3 decades.
– phoog
3 hours ago
The word order in sentences 2 and 3 has only become acceptable in the last 2 or 3 decades.
– phoog
3 hours ago
Thank you for the help!
– FrostC0
3 hours ago
Thank you for the help!
– FrostC0
3 hours ago
@phoog: I don't think the sticklers ever objected to 2 particularly, though they certainly did to 3.
– Colin Fine
3 hours ago
@phoog: I don't think the sticklers ever objected to 2 particularly, though they certainly did to 3.
– Colin Fine
3 hours ago
@ColinFine in my experience it's not so much about sticklers as just the sentences that people would actually say or write.
– phoog
2 hours ago
@ColinFine in my experience it's not so much about sticklers as just the sentences that people would actually say or write.
– phoog
2 hours ago
add a comment |
No,
He seemed to had not understood what I had said to him.
is not grammatical at all, and neither is your other construction.
Here's what you should use:
He seemed not to have understood what I had said to him.
answered 3 hours ago
RobustoRobusto
12.5k23044
1
Could you explain why it's incorrect, if you don't mind of course.
– FrostC0
3 hours ago
add a comment |
No,
He seemed to had not understood what I had said to him.
is not grammatical at all, and neither is your other construction.
Here's what you should use:
He seemed not to have understood what I had said to him.
answered 3 hours ago
RobustoRobusto
12.5k23044
1
Could you explain why it's incorrect, if you don't mind of course.
– FrostC0
3 hours ago
add a comment |
No,
He seemed to had not understood what I had said to him.
is not grammatical at all, and neither is your other construction.
Here's what you should use:
He seemed not to have understood what I had said to him.
answered 3 hours ago
RobustoRobusto
12.5k23044
No,
He seemed to had not understood what I had said to him.
is not grammatical at all, and neither is your other construction.
Here's what you should use:
He seemed not to have understood what I had said to him.
answered 3 hours ago
RobustoRobusto
12.5k23044
answered 3 hours ago
RobustoRobusto
12.5k23044
answered 3 hours ago
RobustoRobusto
12.5k23044
answered 3 hours ago
RobustoRobusto
12.5k23044
12.5k23044
1
Could you explain why it's incorrect, if you don't mind of course.
– FrostC0
3 hours ago
add a comment |
1
Could you explain why it's incorrect, if you don't mind of course.
– FrostC0
3 hours ago
1
1
Could you explain why it's incorrect, if you don't mind of course.
– FrostC0
3 hours ago
Could you explain why it's incorrect, if you don't mind of course.
– FrostC0
3 hours ago
add a comment |
to has to be followed by a bare infinitive or perfect infinitive:
He seems to understand. [bare, present]
He seems to have understood. [perfect infinitive, past idea or tense]
The perfect infinitive is have + the past participle.
answered 3 hours ago
LambieLambie
17.6k1540
add a comment |
to has to be followed by a bare infinitive or perfect infinitive:
He seems to understand. [bare, present]
He seems to have understood. [perfect infinitive, past idea or tense]
The perfect infinitive is have + the past participle.
answered 3 hours ago
LambieLambie
17.6k1540
add a comment |
to has to be followed by a bare infinitive or perfect infinitive:
He seems to understand. [bare, present]
He seems to have understood. [perfect infinitive, past idea or tense]
The perfect infinitive is have + the past participle.
answered 3 hours ago
LambieLambie
17.6k1540
to has to be followed by a bare infinitive or perfect infinitive:
He seems to understand. [bare, present]
He seems to have understood. [perfect infinitive, past idea or tense]
The perfect infinitive is have + the past participle.
answered 3 hours ago
LambieLambie
17.6k1540
answered 3 hours ago
LambieLambie
17.6k1540
answered 3 hours ago
LambieLambie
17.6k1540
answered 3 hours ago
LambieLambie
17.6k1540
17.6k1540
add a comment |
add a comment |
Thanks for contributing an answer to English Language Learners Stack Exchange!
- Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!
But avoid …
- Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.
- Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.
To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fell.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f205625%2fseemed-to-had-is-it-correct%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
