1. Hero-Jean629

    Hero-Jean629 New Member

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    Came or Comes?

    Discussion in 'Word Mechanics' started by Hero-Jean629, May 15, 2012.

    I just need help with deciding which sounds better:

    "Love comes with a class system, at least according to Norma."

    OR

    "Love came with a class system, at least according to Norma."
     
  2. Youniquee

    Youniquee (◡‿◡✿) Contributor

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    The first one in my opinion.
    Although,They both sound suitable. But I think that depends on what tense of writing this excerpt is from...
     
  3. Cogito

    Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

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    The first is better for a generalized assertion such as this.

    The latter would apply if Norma were referring to a particular love infection.
     
  4. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

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    either one could work...
     
  5. C.B Harrington

    C.B Harrington New Member

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    Those are two different tenses, and the way you're using it changes the meaning of the phrase.

    Line 1) If Norma claims that Love comes with a class system, it leads one to believe she's not necessarily asserting an opinion she holds based on priori knowledge. "Love comes..." meaning the future possibility of love comes attached with a class system.

    Line 2) If Norma claims that Love came with a class system, it leads one to believe she's discussing an opinion based off of past experiences. "Love came..." meaning the past observation of love, came with a class system.

    I could be wrong but to me if Norma's opinion is based on something that happened to her, her character would most likely say "came" if it's something her character witnessed in others, but didn't experience first hand - or simply is regurgitating someone else's thoughts, she would most likely use the word "comes".
     
  6. YugiohPro01

    YugiohPro01 New Member

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    I honestly think Comes sounds better, however I'm guessing she is saying that because of past experiences in which case Came is more correct in the sense that people will understand that it refers to the past and not the present.
     
  7. Gnarly

    Gnarly New Member

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    This line is dependent upon which tense you are writing it.
    We need a little more of the excerpt to figure out which you are trying to say, in order to decipher which it is, came or comes.

    I do like how came sounds better though.
     
  8. VM80

    VM80 Contributor Contributor

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    Also going with the first one. It's a generalisation that's being made here, and one which doesn't have a time limit on it (as far as I understand it.)
     

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