ESL General English Grammar Questions

Re: says he vs he says & he said vs said he & could vs can

Clive — Sat, 21 Jan 2006 17:16:56 GMT

Hi,

so is there no difference between I could speak english and I can speak english?

I didn't say that. These words can be used in a variety of ways, eg possibility and ability. 'I can speak English' means 'I have the ability to speak English'. 'I could speak English' is different.

As I suggested, you should look at these words in a little more depth in your grammar book, and then post some sentences here for us to correct for you.

Best wishes, Clive

Re: says he vs he says & he said vs said he & could vs can

Anonymous — Sat, 21 Jan 2006 14:17:55 GMT

Thanks again clive

so is there no difference between

I could speak english and I can speak english?

Re: says he vs he says & he said vs said he & could vs can

Clive — Fri, 20 Jan 2006 20:57:00 GMT

Hi,

" a man who can struggle in a painful life "

why the sentence I wrote isn't a complete sentence?"

Because who can struggle in a painful life is only a subordinate clause. You need a main clause to make a sentence. eg " a man who can struggle in a painful life is a brave man ". Here, 'a man .... is a brave man' is the main clause. The subordinate clause describes 'man'.

can I say " he could stay with us tonight" ? Yes, it means it's a future possibility.

Best wishes again, Clive

Re: says he vs he says & he said vs said he & could vs can

Alaa_Turbo — Fri, 20 Jan 2006 17:38:42 GMT

Thanks alot clive

why the sentence I wrote isn't a complete sentence?

and about can & could

All I know is to use can for the present and could for the past?

can I say " he could stay with us tonight" ?

Re: says he vs he says & he said vs said he & could vs can

Clive — Fri, 20 Jan 2006 15:19:55 GMT

Hi,

which one is correct and is there a different in the meaning?

" a man who can struggle in a painful life " he says or

" a man who can struggle in a painful life " says he

They are both OK, and have the same basic meaning. However, 'said he' is almost never used today in everyday speech. If you use simple present, it means he has a habit of saying this, it is his ongoing opinion. If you use simple past, it just means he said it at some time in the past, eg last Tuesday.

Do you know that a man who can struggle in a painful life is not a complete sentence? eg no main verb

and finally

when to use could and when to use can?

I suggest you check your grammar book, then write some sentences and post them here. I'd be happy to check them for you and comment on any problems. OK?

Best wishes, Clive

says he vs he says & he said vs said he & could vs can

Alaa_Turbo — Fri, 20 Jan 2006 13:26:10 GMT

Hi guys

which one is correct and is there a different in the meaning?

" a man who can struggle in a painful life " he says or

" a man who can struggle in a painful life " says he

which one is correct and is there a different in the meaning?

" a man who can struggle in a painful life" he said

" a man who can struggle in a painful life" said he

What is the difference between using the present simple and the past simple ?

and finally

when to use could and when to use can?

thanks in advance