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Sb70012 Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
I wish my friends didn't phone me
1. It's raining again and we can't go on a picnic. What a pity! I wish it wouldn't rain so often here. Correct
2. It's raining again and we can't go on a picnic. What a pity! I wish it didn't rain so often here. Correct
3. I wish my friends wouldn't phone me every time when I'm in the middle of eating a meal. Correct
4. I wish my friends didn't phone me every time when I'm in the middle of eating a meal. Wrong
Source: school exam
Why is it OK to use "didn't" in #2 but it's not Ok in #4? We use "didn't" when there is no possibility of a change happening. On the other hand, we use 'wouldn't' if there is a possibility of bringing about a change.
So, why "didn't" works in 2 but not in 4?
I have asked this question in WR Forum too. They told me that 4 is also correct. Do you agree?
http://forum.wordreference.com/threads/didnt-phone-vs-didnt-rain.3208164/
Thank you.
2. It's raining again and we can't go on a picnic. What a pity! I wish it didn't rain so often here. Correct
3. I wish my friends wouldn't phone me every time when I'm in the middle of eating a meal. Correct
4. I wish my friends didn't phone me every time when I'm in the middle of eating a meal. Wrong
Source: school exam
Why is it OK to use "didn't" in #2 but it's not Ok in #4? We use "didn't" when there is no possibility of a change happening. On the other hand, we use 'wouldn't' if there is a possibility of bringing about a change.
So, why "didn't" works in 2 but not in 4?
I have asked this question in WR Forum too. They told me that 4 is also correct. Do you agree?
http://forum.wordreference.com/threads/didnt-phone-vs-didnt-rain.3208164/
Thank you.
Top answer
sb70012 4. I wish my friends didn't phone me every time when I'm in the middle of eating a meal. Wrong I think that's right, not wrong.
- sb70012 4.
- I wish my friends didn't phone me every time when I'm in the middle of eating a meal.
- Wrong I think that's right, not wrong.
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5 Answers
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sb700124. I wish my friends didn't phone me every time when I'm in the middle of eating a meal. WrongI think that's right, not wrong.
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Thank you. And one more question:
One native English speaker told me "In any event, 'when' is wrong in 3 and 4."
Do you agree with her? Why has she said this?
Thank you.
One native English speaker told me "In any event, 'when' is wrong in 3 and 4."
Do you agree with her? Why has she said this?
Thank you.
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sb70012Do you agree with her?No.
sb70012Why has she said this?Because she thinks that only 'while' is correct.
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I think 3 and 4 are greatly improved by deleting "when" (not replacing it with anything).
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BarbaraPAI think 3 and 4 are greatly improved by deleting "when" (not replacing it with anything).Yes. I didn't think that far!
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