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Johner Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Would vs. Did
You want to give your old shirt to a needy person but he refuses for a reason. Then you go say to your wife: "He wouldn't take it".
Why do you not simply say: "He didn't take it". What feeling or idea makes you say "wouldn't" instead of "didn't"?
Thanks.
Why do you not simply say: "He didn't take it". What feeling or idea makes you say "wouldn't" instead of "didn't"?
Thanks.
Top answer
Wouldn’t denotes refusal; didn’t doesn’t.
- Wouldn’t denotes refusal; didn’t doesn’t.
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5 Answers
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Can we generalize it and say "wouldn't" can be used as "didn't want to"?
A: Why did you take the kids to the park? I clearly remember saying not to do that?
B: Not my fault. They wouldn't (didn't want to) go to the zoo. They said it wouldn't be fun.
Is this fine and usual?
A: Why did you take the kids to the park? I clearly remember saying not to do that?
B: Not my fault. They wouldn't (didn't want to) go to the zoo. They said it wouldn't be fun.
Is this fine and usual?
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johnerCan we generalize it and say "wouldn't" can be used as "didn't want to"?I interpret wouldn’t as didn’t want to and didn’t (do it).
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Aspara GusI interpret wouldn’t as didn’t want to and didn’t do it.Let's give another example and discuss this on it.
She didn't watch the show last night.
She wouldn't watch the show last night.
Do these two sound equally to you? Something must be different. I can tell but can't explain. Will you please?
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johnerDo these two sound equalDefinitely not. In #1, we can only guess at why she didn’t watch the show: she could have forgotten, was too busy, was too tired, etc. #2 would be possible if, for example, her friend really wanted her to watch the show with him but she was unwilling to watch it and refused to comply and did not (would not) clyto you?
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