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Emma98 Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
Past tense.. "heard" or "could hear"
I'm writing a story in past tense, but I'm in a dilemma whether to write I "heard" the wind howling, and it almost sounded like laughter or I "could hear" the wind howling, and it almost sounded like laughter? Which one?
Top answer
Hello, Emma—and welcome to English Forums. Thank you for registering as a member. Emma98 I'm in a dilemma whether to write I "heard" the wind howling, and it almost sounded like laughter or I "could hear" the wind howling, and it almost sounded like laughter?
- Hello, Emma—and welcome to English Forums.
- Thank you for registering as a member.
- Emma98 I'm in a dilemma whether to write I "heard" the wind howling, and it almost sounded like laughter or I "could hear" the wind howling, and it almost sounded like laughter?
- Which one?
- Emma, both are grammatical and common, and there is no way of judging which one might be more appropriate, since that depends on the context, and you have supplied us with none.
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4 Answers
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Hello, Emma—and welcome to English Forums. Thank you for registering as a member.
Emma98 I'm in a dilemma whether to write I "heard" the wind howling, and it almost sounded like laughter or I "could hear" the wind howling, and it almost sounded like laughter? Which one?Emma, both are grammatical and common, and there is no way of judging which one might be more
00
Thank you, and here's an extract of the story.
All of a sudden, when I was about to leave the toilet, shadows swirled around my feet, sucking me in. In a burst of panic, I fumbled for a light switch, flipping it up and down frantically, but the room remained immersed in darkness. Fear settled in and deep down I knew I was not alone in the dark. Somethin
All of a sudden, when I was about to leave the toilet, shadows swirled around my feet, sucking me in. In a burst of panic, I fumbled for a light switch, flipping it up and down frantically, but the room remained immersed in darkness. Fear settled in and deep down I knew I was not alone in the dark. Somethin
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Suggestions:
All of a sudden, when I was about to leave the toilet (strange for American English), shadows swirled around my feet, sucking me in. In a burst of panic, I fumbled for a light switch and, grasping it, flipped it up and down frantically, but the room remained immersed in darkness. Fear settled in and deep down I knew I was not alone in the dark. Something
All of a sudden, when I was about to leave the toilet (strange for American English), shadows swirled around my feet, sucking me in. In a burst of panic, I fumbled for a light switch and, grasping it, flipped it up and down frantically, but the room remained immersed in darkness. Fear settled in and deep down I knew I was not alone in the dark. Something
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