Hi all,
I don't know when should I use "couldn't understand" or "didn't undertand". Could you please show me some examples of how to use them?
Which is the correct one?
1. I couldn't understand a word he said.
2. I didn't understand a word he said.
Many thanks.
I don't know when should I use "couldn't understand" or "didn't undertand". Could you please show me some examples of how to use them?
Which is the correct one?
1. I couldn't understand a word he said.
2. I didn't understand a word he said.
Many thanks.
1 2
Comments
There might be a very slight difference, as follows:
1. I couldn't understand a word he said. (this might suggest that he spoke unclearly or his words weren't audible)
2. I didn't understand a word he said. (might suggest that you heard what he said but didn't understand his meaning)
Basically, "couldn't understand a word he said" and "didn't understand a word he said" both mean the same thing.
Perhaps someone else can give a better answer to this question.
'I couldn't understand...' — used where someone has a strong accent, or mumbles.
'I didn't understand...' — used where the meanings of the words are unintelligible, e.g. in a Human Resources presentation.
But as taiwandave says, you could use either in either situation.
MrP
I can see it from here. (more idiomatic)
I see it from here. (also grammatically correct)
I could smell something burning. (more idiomatic)
I smelled something burning. (also grammatically correct)
I can't remember what he said. (either is fine)
I don't remember what he said.
Could you understand his diagram? (either is fine)
Did you understand his diagram?
But note: I'm getting old, so I can't remember things very well anymore. ("don't remember" possible, but a little less appropriate)
And: He has the eyes of an eagle. He can read very fine print. ("reads" possible, but considerably less appropriate, in my opinion)
could you plez pass it , could you plez speak loud
Could you please pass it? Could you please speak louder?
In these cases a past tense form is used to make a polite request. This is a typical use of the past.
CJ
"I couldn't understand what you meant/mean..."
In which form should i use the second verb if i'm talking about the past?
CJ
But in case of using i did not understand , it just conveys that you did not understand him and the reason could be your inability to understand. hope this makes sense i cannot explain any better than this