0
Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Simple Present vs. Simple Past
Boy: You should do this and then do that.
Girl (immediately responds): Sorry, I (don't, didn't)_____understand.
Girl (immediately responds): Sorry, I (don't, didn't)_____quite catch that.
Girl (immediately responds): Sorry, I (don't, didn't)_____get it.
Girl (immediately responds): Sorry, what (do, did) you mean by that?
1. In the above exchange, should we use the simple present or simple past in each of the responses of the girl? Please explain. Because I read from some forums that the simple present is normally used for immediate responses. I wonder if it also applies to the example above.
2. Can we also use the present progressive in each of the responses above? If so, how does it change the meaning from the correct answers in #1?
Boy: That concludes our discussion.
Girl: I'd like to go back to what you've said earlier because I (don't, didn't)_____understand it.
Girl: I'd like to go back to what you've said earlier because I (don't, didn't)_____quite catch that.
Girl: I'd like to go back to what you've said earlier because I (don't, didn't)_____get it.
Girl: I'd like to go back to what you've said earlier. What (do, did)_____you mean when...?
3. Assuming what was said earlier in the example above was actually said just a minute ago, should we use the simple present or simple past? I wonder if the rule on immediacy also applies to this example.
Thanks in advance for your assistance.
Girl (immediately responds): Sorry, I (don't, didn't)_____understand.
Girl (immediately responds): Sorry, I (don't, didn't)_____quite catch that.
Girl (immediately responds): Sorry, I (don't, didn't)_____get it.
Girl (immediately responds): Sorry, what (do, did) you mean by that?
1. In the above exchange, should we use the simple present or simple past in each of the responses of the girl? Please explain. Because I read from some forums that the simple present is normally used for immediate responses. I wonder if it also applies to the example above.
2. Can we also use the present progressive in each of the responses above? If so, how does it change the meaning from the correct answers in #1?
Boy: That concludes our discussion.
Girl: I'd like to go back to what you've said earlier because I (don't, didn't)_____understand it.
Girl: I'd like to go back to what you've said earlier because I (don't, didn't)_____quite catch that.
Girl: I'd like to go back to what you've said earlier because I (don't, didn't)_____get it.
Girl: I'd like to go back to what you've said earlier. What (do, did)_____you mean when...?
3. Assuming what was said earlier in the example above was actually said just a minute ago, should we use the simple present or simple past? I wonder if the rule on immediacy also applies to this example.
Thanks in advance for your assistance.
Top answer
1. Boy: You should do this and then do that. -- Both OK .
- 1.
- Boy: You should do this and then do that.
- -- Both OK .
- Understanding lingers.
- -- Catching/Not catching is a past event.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
5 Answers
0
1. Boy: You should do this and then do that.
Girl (immediately responds): Sorry, I (don't, didn't)_____understand.-- Both OK. Understanding lingers.
Girl (immediately responds): Sorry, I ( didn't)_____quite catch that.-- Catching/Not catching is a past event.
Girl (immediately responds): Sorry, I (don't, didn't)_____get it.-- Both OK, but
Girl (immediately responds): Sorry, I (don't, didn't)_____understand.-- Both OK. Understanding lingers.
Girl (immediately responds): Sorry, I ( didn't)_____quite catch that.-- Catching/Not catching is a past event.
Girl (immediately responds): Sorry, I (don't, didn't)_____get it.-- Both OK, but
00
You've explained this very clearly and I now understand. However, just one question, if understanding/meaning lingers, don't you think the simple present is more preferable in the examples above although both are OK?
Thank you.tx
Thank you.tx
00
Also, if what was said earlier in the second example was said long enough like 'an hour ago', should we then use the simple past in each of the responses? Or the answers do not change and are still the same with 'a minute ago'?
00
You've explained this very clearly and I now understand. However, just one question, if understanding/meaning lingers, don't you think the simple present is more preferable in the examples above although both are OK?-- No.
Also, if what was said earlier in the second example was said long enough like 'an hour ago', should we then use the simple past in each of the response
Also, if what was said earlier in the second example was said long enough like 'an hour ago', should we then use the simple past in each of the response
00
Mister MicawberYou've explained this very clearly and I now understand. However, just one question, if understanding/meaning lingers, don't you think the simple present is more preferable in the examples above although both are OK?-- No.So the tenses could be use interchangeably.
Mister MicawberAlso, if what was said earlier in
0
Related Questions