Is there any difference between these two sentences?

Question

Hi teachers,Is there any difference between these two sentences?a) They feed and dress themselves.b) They can feed and dress by themselves.Thanks in advance.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

There are three differences.

a) does not have "can". So in a) we know that they actually do perform these acts.
b) has "can". So in b) we only know that they have the knowledge and ability to perform these acts. We don't know for certain that they do perform them.

a) says that each person among them feeds himself and dresses himself. They do not feed or dress other people.
b) does not say who they feed and dress, which makes it wrong.

a) does not mention that they feed themselves and dress themselves without any help from others.
b) does mention this. It says they can do this without help from others. (An alternate interpretation is that they can do it when no one else is with them.)

To make b) correct, you need

They can feed and dress themselves by themselves.

which is so awkward that nobody would really say it like that.

CJ

Tenacious Learner · Answer

Hi CJ,
Thank you for your reply.
How about these ones then? Do they have the same meaning now?
a) They feed and dress themselves.
b) They can eat and dress by themselves.
Or should 'b' be like this?
b) They eat and dress by themselves.

TS

CalifJim · Answer

Thinking Spaina) They feed and dress themselves.b) They can eat and dress by themselves. ...b) They eat and dress by themselves.

Each of these three has a different meaning, as explained above.

Summarizing briefly,

The one with "can" is about ability.
The ones with "by themselves" indicate "without help" or "alone".

CJ

Tenacious Learner · Answer

Hi CJ,
Thank you for your reply. It is very clear now.

TS

Is there any difference between these two sentences?

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