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Thu 19 Jun, 2014 08:21 am
From such a big hit, 'Frozen,' I could catch the expression,
" I don't want you getting hurt.'
I've always been told 'want' can make such a good combination with 'to', like,
"I want you to go.' , 'They wanted to read books', and 'We want you to leave'.
I wouldn't have cared at all if the sentence had been,
"I don't want you to get hurt'.
My guess is that the two sentences must have some difference in nuiance, however minute it might be, and as a native Korean, I completely have no idea what the difference could've been.
If they aren't exactly the same thing, would you please help me figure out
how they are different?
Thank you.
@SMickey,
Quote:If they aren't exactly the same thing, would you please help me figure out
how they are different?
They mean exactly the same. They are alternatives, and in conversation, both are equally likely. Use of "getting" is maybe a bit more colloquial.
Don't get involved.
I don't want you to get involved.
I don't want you getting involved.
All have the same meaning.
@SMickey,
Quote:From such a big hit, 'Frozen,' I could catch the expression,
You can't use COULD here, S. You want WAS ABLE TO.
I was able to catch the expression, ... .
@SMickey,
The famous linguist, Dwight Bolinger, suggested that "... to get hurt" is a bit more distant, more theoretical while the '...ing' form is more here and now, more emotive, more focused.
@JTT,
Actually, I'm so stunned and even shocked to see your comment, 'could' is wrong here.
My grammar teacher told us that 'be able to' is almost interchangeable with 'can', so I've figured they are practically the same thing.
Could you please give me some hint why 'could' is not a good choice here?
Meanwhile, of course, I'll do my own research as well.
@McTag,
Thank you McTag.
I wouldn't have wasted my time had I gotten your tip earlier.
God bless you.
@SMickey,
In English, modals are derived from verbs that did carry tense ... during a much earlier stage of the language.
The Grammar Book - An ESL/EFL Teachers' Course at page 137.
@SMickey,
Did McTag send you a personal message, SMickey?
@JTT,
No, I don't think so. Mind if I ask you why?
@SMickey,
Your post previous to this one.
@SMickey,
Quote:Thank you McTag.
I wouldn't have wasted my time had I gotten your tip earlier.
God bless you.
You're welcome SMickey, I'm pleased if I can help.
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