0
PreciousJones Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

told/telling

I told myself that I would practice my Spanish with you this morning.

Or

I was telling myself that I would practice my Spanish with you this morning.

Are both useable and the same?

Thanks!
  

Top answer

They are both possible, but they are not the same. We use different tenses and aspects because we want to say different things. Sometimes the difference may be very slight, but there always is a difference.

— Fivejedjon

  • They are both possible, but they are not the same.
  • We use different tenses and aspects because we want to say different things.
  • Sometimes the difference may be very slight, but there always is a difference.
  • We would need a lot more context before we could say if one of your forms was more likely than the other.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

16 Answers
0
They are both possible, but they are not the same. We use different tenses and aspects because we want to say different things. Sometimes the difference may be very slight, but there always is a difference.

We would need a lot more context before we could say if one of your forms was more likely than the other.
0
0
fivejedjonThey are both possible, but they are not the same. We use different tenses and aspects because we want to say different things. Sometimes the difference may be very slight, but there always is a difference.We would need a lot more context before we could say if one of your forms was more likely than the other.
Could you tell me the slight difference
0
0
PreciousJones fivejedjonThey are both possible, but they are not the same. We use different tenses and aspects because we want to say different things. Sometimes the difference may be very slight, but there always is a difference.We would need a lot more context before we could say if one of your forms was more likely than the other.Could you tell me the slight difference
0
0
fivejedjon PreciousJones fivejedjonThey are both possible, but they are not the same. We use different tenses and aspects because we want to say different things. Sometimes the difference may be very slight, but there always is a difference.We would need a lot more context before we could say if one of your forms was more likely than the other.Could you tell me the slight
0
0
PreciousJonesIt's just breakfast conversation with a bilingual friend. be sufficient context to decide whether one form would be more likely than the other.
The four or five lines of conversation before you uttered the words might be sufficient context to decide whether one form would be more likely than the other.
0
0
fivejedjon PreciousJonesIt's just breakfast conversation with a bilingual friend. be sufficient context to decide whether one form would be more likely than the other.The four or five lines of conversation before you uttered the words might be sufficient context to decide whether one form would be more likely than the other.
We decide to meet at a diner for br
0
0
I give up. Use either.
0
0
fivejedjonI give up. Use either.
Wow, and you call yourself a teacher? Your patronizing and condescending attitude should be banned from this website. I hope a moderator sees your sarcasm and takes away your right to instruct on this site.

I give up... Use either... You're not a teacher, just a bigot pretending to be one.
0
0
fivejedjonPeace be with you.
Keep it up! You're only proving my point. I'm a senior member of this site and every staff member or teacher have been kind and very helpful. Even when my questions were simplistic and repetitive they would help me in a heartbeat with no questions asked. I don't like your attitude and you need to learn to be more professional w
0

Related Questions