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by Zeugitai on February 3rd, 2007

Zeugitai

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Which is correct (or more correct) and why? a. How happy we were! b. How happy were we! I have seen innumerable examples of the latter usage and they always unsettle me. --Thanks!

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Answers. 4 helpful answers below.

  • by anonymous on February 3rd, 2007

    anonymous

    Well, b, 'how happy were we!' when written can be interpretated as a question, so I would say A is correct as it is using correct punctuation etc. However, when saying them and putting emphasis on certain syllables, I think both are fine. But don't hold me to that

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  • by Zeugitai on February 3rd, 2007

    Zeugitai

    I tend to see this usage in works of a scholarly nature and the most recent sentence I saw was: How far from primitive were the seafaring vessels of ancient mariners. I can't remember hearing it used verbally.

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  • by Biggie15 on February 3rd, 2007

    Biggie15

    'How happy we were!' mainly refers to a person recounting what they did the night before in a positive fashion to a stranger or someone who was not with them at the time of the event, while 'How happy were we!' is used when a person is talking to someone else who was with them at the time of the event. So in short, both are correct, but both should be used in different contexts to each other

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  • by Firebrand on February 3rd, 2007

    Firebrand

    Personally I would use A

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