Let's see who knows the answer: What is the difference between the following pair of sentences: 1.1 I ate a good meal yesterday. 1.2. I had a good meal yesterday. Happy answering :) Regards, Anshu Nadir

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Anshu Nadir

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ok..one more guys :) A: Where were you yesterday ? B1: I went to Jaipur. B2: I had gone to Jaipur. Which one ? Regards.
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@Kirti - must say..I have really liked your "out of the box" thinking :)
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English Language / Business Communication Trainer (Corporate Trainer) - Body Language and Soft skills expert.

Hi Anshu, First of all, I must compliment you on your choice of question. I have a feeling you already know the answer though :) Anyway, so here's my take on the answer. Though both the sentences refer to the fact that the subject has consumed a good meal in the past, "had" is a more versatile...
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Hi Anshu, First of all, I must compliment you on your choice of question. I have a feeling you already know the answer though :) Anyway, so here's my take on the answer. Though both the sentences refer to the fact that the subject has consumed a good meal in the past, "had" is a more versatile word. According to me, it can mean 2 things: 1. The subject ate a good meal yesterday. 2. The subject carried with him/her (probably a lunch box with) a good meal in it... which may or may not have been consumed. Do let me know your thoughts on this! :) Regards Kirti read less
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Also, the purpose of posting such questions is not to judge anybody's knowledge but to make a good use of this wonderful platform, which has so many knowledgeable and expert tutors. These questions might also help students who like to learn beyond the rules.
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Tutor

I had a good meal yesterday.
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Trainer

Thank you everyone. Appreciate your time and detailed answers.
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Teaching English Teaching and communication skills

i had a good meal is perfect.Both are grammatically perfect.In sentence 1 past form of verb is used and in 2 sentence an auxiliary verb is used as main verb.Instead of take,had is used.
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Spoken English, Communication Skill, Personality Development trainer with 16 years experience

1.2 - I had a good meal yesterday.
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Tutor

1.1 is more "propah" & British using the simple past whereas 1.2 is more American where the main verb eat is substituted by have and is not to be mixed up with the auxiliary to have.Also 1.1 is more written & 1.2 more spoken
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Skills Development Trainer

both are "Past Simple" tenses. Difference is 'had' is another verb for ate. both mean the same.
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