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PreciousJones Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

to/and

1. What's the difference between saying:

I'm sure your girlfriend tells you about it. And

I'm sure your girlfriend's told you about it.

Are they similar in meaning?

2. I want to go out to have fun and eat good food. And

I want to go out and have fun and eat good food.

Are both similar in meaning? What's the difference between using to and and?

Thanks!
  

Top answer

Question 1: The first sentence uses the simple present tense. It implies that it's the girlfriend's habit to talk about it, whatever "it" may be. The second sentence is in the present perfect tense.

— DMW

  • Question 1: The first sentence uses the simple present tense.
  • It implies that it's the girlfriend's habit to talk about it, whatever "it" may be.
  • The second sentence is in the present perfect tense.
  • It implies that the girlfriend mentioned it once or more, in the past.
  • Question 2: There's really no difference between "to" and "and" here.
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6 Answers
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Question 1:
The first sentence uses the simple present tense. It implies that it's the girlfriend's habit to talk about it, whatever "it" may be. The second sentence is in the present perfect tense. It implies that the girlfriend mentioned it once or more, in the past.

Question 2:
There's really no difference between "to" and "and" here. To me, it sounds more natural to use "a
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1. "I'm sure your girlfriend's told you about it" explains finished events in the past but "I'm sure your girlfriend tells you about it" explains present situation. They're different in the meaning.
2. " I want to go out to have fun and eat good food" means "I want to have fun and eat a good food outside." but "I want to go out and have fun and eat good food." means "I want to go out first
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DMWQuote
Thank you DMW! How come you haven't earned the right to become a forum checker or administrator? I thought all native speakers would automatically get upgraded to those titles. Thanks again!
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Hi Precious.
I don't think I would accept either of those titles if they were offered to me. It sounds far too much like hard work. I prefer just to put my nose in here at the forums, from time to time when I feel like it.

Warmest regards,
David.
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DMWIt sounds far too much like hard work.
It's fine if you are knowledgeable, patient, tolerant, tactful and thick-skinned.

(They slipped up with me.)
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Hah! On any given day, I may be able to manage up to three of those five virtues. Maybe one before lunch, one later in the day, and one just before bed.

No thank you!
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