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Debpriya De Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Made sure

1. "I made sure that he did his homework."
2. "I made sure that he would do his homework."
What is the difference in meaning between the two sentences ?
  

Top answer

The time. In 1 he has done his hmework and you have witnessed it. In 2 you believe that he will do his homework, but you aren't there to check (he has just assured you that he would).

— Dave Phillips

  • The time.
  • In 1 he has done his hmework and you have witnessed it.
  • In 2 you believe that he will do his homework, but you aren't there to check (he has just assured you that he would).
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5 Answers
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The time. In 1 he has done his hmework and you have witnessed it. In 2 you believe that he will do his homework, but you aren't there to check (he has just assured you that he would).
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@Dave,
What, then, would be the difference between "I made sure that he had done his homework"
and "I made sure that he did his homework." ?
I seems to me that your sentence explanation #1 corresponds better to "I made sure that he had done his homework". Could you elaborate please ?
Thanks !
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I made sure he had done his homework - single occasion.
I made sure that he did his homeowrk - general statement.
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Are you saying that "I made sure he had done his homework" refers to a single occassion whereas
"I made sure that he did his homework" refers to habitual action ?
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