How or why? and 'had' and 'got'.

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Hi again,

I was watching ‘Keeping Up Appearances’ last night.

Hyacinth said something like: ‘I don’t know why/how that hiker had the impertinence to think that I was talking to a tree.’

Is it how or why?

Can you also say: ‘I don’t know know why/how that hiker got the impertinence to think that I was talking to a tree.’?

I do believe that there’s a difference between ‘had’ and ‘got’, or am I wrong?

Thanks Alexandro.

2

‘I don’t know why/how that hiker had the impertinence to think that I was talking to a tree.’

  • Both are possible

Your alternative would need ‘had got’ but the use of ‘got’ is not necessary, so in my opinion the sentence sounds much better without it, especially in the past tense.

3

Hi Alexandro,

Bearing in mind that Hyacinth has a colossal opinion of herself, I would suggest that ‘how’ is appropriate suggesting that she finds it impossible to imagine ‘how’ (in what possible way) anyone could have the impertinence to …