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Irina
Wish you hadn't later
Hi everybody))) i have a question
i read a book it English and there was a prase "Never say like this. Never does. Wish you hadn't later"
I know, wish + 3 form = means regret, but something in past or at leat about something that happends now. but with "later" it's something about future
What does this means?
thank you very much for help in advance)))))) sure))
"Weeds grow like house afire. Can't keep even with 'em. Shall press you in. Better be careful."
"I'm sure I shall be only too delighted to make myself useful," I responded.
"Don't say it. Never does. Wish you hadn't later."
"You're a cynic, Evie,"
Sep 29, 2014 8:34 AM
Answers · 6
2
Because it's quoted speech, it does not need to follow grammar. The character is speaking in fragments. However, without reading the book, it's hard to understand the full context of this situation.
The paragraph you linked is helpful, but there's nothing to tie 'does' to the previous words. So, "Never does." doesn't make sense to me. It could be, "It never does work out the way you want it to." but I'm just guessing. So, here's my best guess:
"Don't say it. It never does work out how you want it to. You'll wish you hadn't later."
All of this is referring, I guess, to "make myself useful" but I'm not 100% sure. Sorry, just remember that natives struggle with literature at times, so don't be too hard on yourself. Sorry I can't help you more.
September 29, 2014
1
It's really hard to tell without context. Do you have the paragraph, or a link? Even the name of the book would help.
It looks like the colloquial style of removing pronouns and other parts of the sentence. This is very informal, and not something we do often.
I even suspect "Wish you hadn't later" is supposed to mean "You'll wish you hadn't later."
September 29, 2014
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Irina
Language Skills
English, Russian
Learning Language
English
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