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Robson Leonel Branco
1)...I'm sorry I didn't tell you.I just couldn't seem to Find the right time.
2)...I'm sorry I didn't tell you.I just couldn't Find the right time.
Why do American People use the expression " Could seem"?
What's the difference in context between the phrase one and two?
9 okt. 2024 12:35
Correcties · 5
1
1)...I'm sorry I didn't tell you.I just couldn't seem to find the right time.
2)...I'm sorry I didn't tell you.I just couldn't find the right time.
Why do American People use the expression " Could seem"?
What's the difference in context between the phrase one and two?
#2 is a straightforward statement of fact: "I could not find".
#1 says exactly the same thing, but it FEELS different. By saying "I couldn't SEEM to find", the speaker conveys the confusion, rush, difficulty, or whatever it was that made him unable to find the time.
11 oktober 2024
1
1)...I'm sorry I didn't tell you.I just couldn't seem to Find the right time.
2)...I'm sorry I didn't tell you.I just couldn't Find the right time. Why do
American People use the expression " Could seem"? What's the difference in
context between the phrase one and two?
Using "seem" does imply that the person has tried, whereas with "couldn't find the right time," it's less likely the person made an effort. However, the difference between these two is infinitesimal and, I think, debatable.
9 oktober 2024
1
1)...I'm sorry I didn't tell you.I just couldn't seem to Find the right time.
2)...I'm sorry I didn't tell you.I just couldn't Find the right time. Why do
American People use the expression " Could seem"? What's the difference in
context between the phrase one and two?
Can’t seem to implies you’ve tried several times to do something
9 oktober 2024
1
1)...I'm sorry I didn't tell you.I just couldn't seem to Find the right time.
2)...I'm sorry I didn't tell you.I just couldn't Find the right time. Why do
American People use the expression " Could seem"? What's the difference in
context between the phrase one and two?
9 oktober 2024
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Robson Leonel Branco
Taalvaardigheden
Engels, Portugees
Taal die wordt geleerd
Engels
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