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Anonymous Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

Mean basically the same?

Hi. I think all three below mean basically the same. Am I correct?

1. How could we know unless he shows?
2. How could we know unless he shows it?
3. How could we know unless he shows it to us?

Also, what's the difference between the two below? Please note the underlined parts. Thank you in advance for your help.

1. How could we know unless he shows it?
2. How could we know unless he showed it?
  

Top answer

Anonymous I think all three below mean basically the same. Am I correct? No.

— Mister Micawber

  • Anonymous I think all three below mean basically the same.
  • Am I correct?
  • No.
  • The first 'show' means 'appear, attend', while the 2nd and 3rd may be showing it to different people.
  • Anonymous Also, what's the difference between the two below?
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3 Answers
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AnonymousI think all three below mean basically the same. Am I correct?
No. The first 'show' means 'appear, attend', while the 2nd and 3rd may be showing it to different people.
AnonymousAlso, what's the difference between the two below?
It is the normal difference between present and past tenses.
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In reply to the question dealing with the three example sentences I wrote you wrote:

No. The first 'show' means 'appear, attend', while the 2nd and 3rd may be showing it to different people.

How about in this fictitious context, could we use the following three replies from Dad to mean the same?

There were three sons and the youngest was the most unruly one. He liked to
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AnonymousNow, as to the reply of Dad, could we use these also? Thank you again in advance for your help.1. How could we know unless he shows his pockets?2. How could we know unless he shows?
#1: Yes
#2: No
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