when you say " i am happy to marry you", does it mean i am happy that i married you? or i am happy that i am going to marry?
and when you say i am proud to become a teacher, does it mean you are a teacher now? or you are going to be?
2007-09-05 23:13:17 · 5 answers · asked by Aiko 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Can't tell without some context. To be clearer, you could say - I am happy that we are going to be married (future); I'd be happy to marry you (future), I am happy to have married you (past though a little stilted), I am happy I married you (past), or I am happy we married (past).
As for the teacher part, I would say - I am proud that I will be a teacher (future) or I am proud to be a teacher (present).
2007-09-06 01:13:03 · answer #1 · answered by ghouly05 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both statements as you wrote them are vague on whether the situation (being married, becoming a teacher) has happened yet or not. No one would be likely to say them just as you wrote them because of this.
The act of getting married happens in an instant, on a certain day (the wedding day.) It doesn't happen over time. There are two states, married and unmarried. So it's a little hard to imagine a situation in which anyone would say "I am happy to marry you" because it doesn't define whether you are happy that you are now married, or are happy that you will be married in the future.
It should be "I would be happy to marry you" if the other person hasn't committed and the marriage is still just a possibility, or "I will be happy to marry you" if the other person is also committed to the marriage happening. Or, conversely, if you're already married, "I am happy that I am married to you" or, better, "I am happy to be married to you."
Incidentally, a minister or other religious or civil official (such as a judge) could also say "I would be happy to marry you" to a couple. This means that he will be happy to conduct the ceremony in which they will marry each other.
It's the same problem with your second example. It should either be, "I am proud that I will become a teacher" or, better, "I am proud that I will be a teacher," if you're not yet a teacher. If you are a teacher now, and proud of it, say "I am proud to be a teacher."
2007-09-05 23:36:21 · answer #2 · answered by johnny_sunshine2 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
"I am happy to marry you" suggests that you and I are not married yet, but I would gladly do that, if it were possible or necessary. Compare it to "I'm happy to post that letter for you", meaning you have a letter, not yet posted, but I'll do it for you if you'd like.
"I am proud to become a teacher" suggests that I am not a teacher yet, but will be a teacher someday and I am proud of that. It's a bit awkward, since people are normally proud of an accomplishment, something that they already are or something they have. I wonder if an expectant parent would say "I am proud to become a father"? Hmm, it sort of works.
2007-09-05 23:56:54 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Both of these statements are incorrect and confusing English. You should say: "I'm happy we're going to be married," (future) or "I'm happy to be married to you," (present) or "I'm happy we got married," (past). The same is true for your other sentence. "I'm proud be be a teacher," (present), "I'm proud that I'm going to be a teacher," (future), "I'm happy that I became a teacher," (past).
2007-09-05 23:24:46 · answer #4 · answered by Elaine P...is for Poetry 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not future not past................
This is simple present tense.............
2007-09-05 23:22:11 · answer #5 · answered by ♪♪♪♪ mR ♪♪♪♪ 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋