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Anonymous Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

Tense problem - unsure of difference

Hello, and first of all, sorry if this has been brought up before anywhere, but I'm really unsure of where to look.

Okay, my question is this: What is the difference, if any, between the kinds of tenses used in the following two sentences:

  1. "I wish I paid more attention in school."

  2. "I wish I had paid more attention in school."
Thanks for any help.
  

Top answer

Hi, my question is this: What is the difference, if any, between the kinds of tenses used in the following two sentences: I assume you are asking about the meaning that is conveyed by each tense. " I attend school in the present. I don't pay enough attention.

— Clive

  • Hi, my question is this: What is the difference, if any, between the kinds of tenses used in the following two sentences: I assume you are asking about the meaning that is conveyed by each tense.
  • " I attend school in the present.
  • I don't pay enough attention.
  • " When I was at school in the past, I didn't pay enough attention.
  • Best wishes, Clive
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4 Answers
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Hi,

my question is this: What is the difference, if any, between the kinds of tenses used in the following two sentences:

I assume you are asking about the meaning that is conveyed by each tense.

  1. "I wish I paid more attention in school." I attend school in the present. I don't pay enough attention.
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Sorry, yes, that's exactly it. To me, the first means exactly the same as the second but with one less word.
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Hi again,

Do you understand the difference now?

Clive
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Yes, thanks very much, you've made it much clearer for me now!
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