Tense problem - unsure of difference

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Anonymous

#396691 Wed, 25 Jul 07 09:29 PM

Hello, and first of all, sorry if this has been brought up before anywhere, but I'm really unsure of where to look.

Okay, my question is this: What is the difference, if any, between the kinds of tenses used in the following two sentences:

Thanks for any help.

Clive

#396698 Wed, 25 Jul 07 09:40 PM

Hi,

my question is this: What is the difference, if any, between the kinds of tenses used in the following two sentences:

I assume you are asking about the meaning that is conveyed by each tense.

"I wish I paid more attention in school." I attend school in the present. I don't pay enough attention.
"I wish I had paid more attention in school." When I was at school in the past, I didn't pay enough attention.

Best wishes, Clive

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Canada

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Anonymous

#396703 Wed, 25 Jul 07 09:46 PM

Sorry, yes, that's exactly it. To me, the first means exactly the same as the second but with one less word.

Clive

#396758 Thu, 26 Jul 07 12:09 AM

Hi again,

Do you understand the difference now?

Clive

Anonymous

#396767 Thu, 26 Jul 07 12:24 AM

Yes, thanks very much, you've made it much clearer for me now!