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Maymhight Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

don't vs cannot understand

0Hi!02br
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00Is there any difference in nuance between the follwing two sentences?02br
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00"I don't understand what you're saying."02br
02br
00"I cannot understand what you are saying."0-
  

Top answer

02br 02br 00With "I don't" - there is a comprehension thing. 02br 02br 00With "I can't" - there is a barrier of some sort. It could be simply the water is running and I can't make out your words over the noise - I can't understand you.

— BarbaraPA

  • 02br 02br 00With "I don't" - there is a comprehension thing.
  • 02br 02br 00With "I can't" - there is a barrier of some sort.
  • It could be simply the water is running and I can't make out your words over the noise - I can't understand you.
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2 Answers
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0They could be completely the same, in many contexts.02br
02br
00With "I don't" - there is a comprehension thing. I don't understand the way you're telling me.02br
02br
00With "I can't" - there is a barrier of some sort. It could be simply the water is running and I can't make out your words over the noise - I can't understand you. Or what you are saying
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0Thank you so much for your clear explanation.02br
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00It is now crystal clear in my mind how these two expressions differ in certain cases.0-
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