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 #17 (permalink) Fri Feb 20, 2009 2:25 am Usage of 'were' |
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I think you are mostly right.
"I don't understand" is the more common way to say this, it simply means that there is something I do not understand. I have probably stopped trying and am reporting this state of not understanding to you.
"I can't understand" is almost the same but it means that it is impossible for me to understand it, I simply lack the means or abilities - whereas "don't" leaves open the possibilty that I might understand it if I tried again. "Can't" is tronger and is used less often. Furthermore, it requires an object (like "it") more often than "don't". |
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 Cerberus™
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 11 Feb 2009
Posts: 1342
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| #18 (permalink) Fri Feb 20, 2009 8:39 am Usage of 'were' |
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| i am confused... |
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Yoki
I'm new here and I like it ;-)
Joined: 23 Sep 2008
Posts: 30
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| #19 (permalink) Sat Feb 21, 2009 6:46 am Usage of 'were' |
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| Cerberus™ wrote: |
I think you are mostly right.
"I don't understand" is the more common way to say this, it simply means that there is something I do not understand. I have probably stopped trying and am reporting this state of not understanding to you.
"I can't understand" is almost the same but it means that it is impossible for me to understand it, I simply lack the means or abilities - whereas "don't" leaves open the possibilty that I might understand it if I tried again. "Can't" is tronger and is used less often. Furthermore, it requires an object (like "it") more often than "don't". |
That difference is subtle again and thanks for elaborating it for me. It means I should have said, "I don't understand" to mean "It is confusing to me".
By the way, I just snatched two misspelled words here -- possibilty and tronger :)
_________________
First lesson - English, not english. I, not i. ~A student of English |
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Gray
I'm here quite often ;-)
Joined: 21 Nov 2008
Posts: 978
Location: Proxima Centauri
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| #20 (permalink) Sat Feb 21, 2009 15:01 pm Usage of 'were' |
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| Ouch! I guess I might have been a bit drunk at the time... it's good that you keep a sharp eye out! Unfortunately I cannot edit it anymore. |
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Cerberus™
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 11 Feb 2009
Posts: 1342
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| What's the meaning of 'thanks for all the fish'. | Use 'elaborate' for TV programmes, 'appealing' for natural places? |
