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Anonymous Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

Meaning difference

What is the difference between these two sentences? Do they have the same meaning?

She would not tell me her problem.
She did not tell me her problem.

Is the first one with 'would' hypothetical or real real indicating unwillingness or could it be both depending on the context?
  

Top answer

Anonymous Is the first one with 'would' hypothetical No, not as it stands. Anonymous real indicating unwillingness Yes. Anonymous could it be both depending on the context?

— Mister Micawber

  • Anonymous Is the first one with 'would' hypothetical No, not as it stands.
  • Anonymous real indicating unwillingness Yes.
  • Anonymous could it be both depending on the context?
  • It couldn't be both.
  • It might be either with the right context.
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5 Answers
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AnonymousIs the first one with 'would' hypothetical
No, not as it stands.
Anonymousreal indicating unwillingness
Yes.
Anonymouscould it be both depending on the context?
It couldn't be both. It might be either with the right context. Do you have any that you care to test?
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Mister MicawberNo, not as it stands.Anonymousreal indicating unwillingnessYes.
Thanks, teacher.

So while the the one with 'would' indicates unwillingness in the past, does the second with 'didn't' just convey that I was not told the problem without the idea of unwillingness?
Mister MicawberIt couldn't be both. It might be eit
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Anonymousdoes the second with 'didn't' just convey that I was not told the problem without the idea of unwillingness?
Right: a simple statement of past fact.
AnonymousHypothetical: She would not tell me her problem If I asked her.Real: I asked her but she would not tell me her problem.What do you think?
Yes, I think you have
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Mister MicawberRight: a simple statement of past fact.
Got it. Thanks a lot.
Mister MicawberYes, I think you have a good understanding of the situations.
I am glad that I have a good understanding of the
Mister MicawberYou understand that your hypothetical example is present, not past, I presume.
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