Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[sejpdw]

"Six years have passed since I came here to Beijing from the village. During that time, the politics of the nation have been eventful. Looking back, however, it seems that I didn't take much interest in any of those evetns."

In this context, the following three sentences have the exactly same meaning?

1) It seems that I didn't take much interest in any of those events.
2) I don't seem to have taken much interest in any of those events.
3) I seem not to have taken much interest in any of those events.

[myprofe]

The problem I see is that you are referring to this period using different verb tenses.

During that time, the politics of the nation have been eventful. Looking back, however, it seems that I didn't take much interest in any of those events.

You have to use the same verb tense all through the text.

During that time, the politics of the nation have been eventful. Looking back, however, it seems that I haven't taken much interest in any of those events.

Then these statements would be correct:

1) It seems that I haven't taken much interest in any of those events.
2) I don't seem to have taken much interest in any of those events.
3) I seem not to have taken much interest in any of those events.



- or -

During that time, the politics of the nation were eventful. Looking back, however, it seems that I didn't take much interest in any of those events.

Then these statements would be correct:

1) It seems that I didn't take much interest in any of those events.
2) I didn't seem to take much interest in any of those events.
3) I seemed not to take much interest in any of those events.
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