Andrey Kuptsov
"Did you ever think?" Is it correct? It's from the "Wind of Change" by Scorpions -- The world is closing in And did you ever think That we could be so close, like brothers The future's in the air I can feel it everywhere Blowing with the wind of change -- I think it should be "Have you ever think?" because there is the word "ever". Am I right?
Aug 20, 2009 1:37 AM
Answers · 4
1
"Did you ever think...?" as used in the lyrics is correct. It implies that it might be a surprise that they are now so close; perhaps it had never occurred to the person that they would someday be close. So, this is a rare case where rock music lyrics don't use bad grammar. ;) The difference with "have" is that "did" implies one moment in time, whereas "have" could include a range of time or multiple instances. If you use "have", first of all you need to say "Have you ever THOUGHT" (not "think"), and the meaning is not the same. You could say "Have you ever thought we could be as close as brothers?", but that means it hasn't happened yet, and is referring to future potential. One common form of usage for "have" in a question is "Have you ever done/thought/been to/eaten/etc. ______ before?"
August 20, 2009
"did you ever think" is correct. "have you ever think" is also correct. "ever" is defined as follows: 1. At any time "did you ever smoke?" 2. At all times; all the time and on every occasion "ever hoping to strike it rich"; "ever busy" 3. (intensifier for adjectives) very "she was ever so friendly" I just thought of their difference that the former statement ('did you...) is kind of asking if someone has intentionally thought of something (just like thinking the right answer to your exams), whereas 'have you..' is the other way around (just like you're walking at downtown and saw a beautiful dress displayed in a shop, and suddenly remind you of something about that dress). :)
August 20, 2009
Eli is right , also the past tense would be 'have you ever thought?'.
August 20, 2009
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