Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[sleeper]

Hi, there.

Today I have two questions to ask.

Question #1.
Look at the following sentences.
1. I see many shops.
2. I can see many shops.

What is the difference in meaning between these two?
Does the sentence 2 sound awkward or funny?
Which do you use more often in your daily life?

Question #2.
Look at the following sentece.
"Sometimes he sings great songs for us."

Is the position of the word 'sometimes' correct?
Shoud the word 'sometimes' be placed between 'he' and 'sings'?

Is the use of the word 'great' correct?
Does the word 'great' sound too exaggerated in this kind of sentence?

I am looking forward to your kind replies.

Thanks.

[Mister Micawber]

.
1-- No real difference in most cases. Simple present presents the fact; the use of can suggests the ability. Both are common.

2-- Sometimes can go in either position; it can also go at the end of this sentence. Great is fine here; its appropriateness depends solely on the quality of the songs.
.
_________________
"I really do not know that anything has ever been more exciting than diagramming sentences." � Gertrude Stein
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Canadian-American who teaches English for a living at Mr Micawber's