Hi Yichun,

Apologies I didn’t see that comment at all! Yes, you’re absolutely right, it is the same for stative verbs.

Phil

I look forward to hearing back from you, thanks!

Hi Phil,

Thank you for response!

I just want to follow up with the second part from my previous question.
When you said “without more context the simple past only tells us it was done in the past, not necessarily whether it will happen again.”, this also applies to stative verbs, right?

For instance,
1. I wanted/needed a cup of coffee.
2. I was busy.
3. I felt happy.

All those sentences, just tell us those states were true in the past, but doesn’t tell us whether or not those states will happen again after that. Do I understand it right?

Thank you!

Best regards,

Yichun
5/3/2023

Hi Yichun,

Yes sorry I missed that one (as your comments are automatically approved, I don’t necessarily get a notification when I log on to the site!). Yes, it means it won’t be added to within that time; where the sentences reference a specific time, that means they relate to that time and don’t tell you about other times, without more context.

And on your second part yes that is correct, without more context the simple past only tells us it was done in the past, not necessarily whether it will happen again.

Phil

Hi Phil,

I am sending this post to follow up with my previous questions since I have not received your reply yet.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks!

Best regards,

Yichun
4/27/2023

In those two examples you gave:
1). I played tennis every Tuesday this month.
2). I played tennis this week.

When you said the action will be not added on, it just means it will not be added on for that remaining time of the time period mentioned in the sentence (remaining time of this month or this week)? Does it also tell us wether or not I will play tennis for any time after that time period for example, after this week, next week, next month, next year?

Can I understand in this way, if there is no time period mentioned in the sentence, like, I played tennis, the simple past just tell us the action happened and finished in the past, but it doesn’t tell us wether or not it will happen again after that.

Thank you in advanced.

Best regards,

Yichun
4/19/2023

There it means an unspecified/not particular amount, or “any at all”; here it is basically like saying “some”.

Hello , in statement it mean not particular one. Then what does it mean in questions ?

Did you bring any bread ?

Do I need to get any petrol ?

Hi Maryam,

Good question; yes this use is correct. As with most rules in English there are exceptions, and it would be more accurate to say “any” is *mostly* used with negatives and questions, but there are other times. Essentially, it is also used when there is some doubt to the noun, for example over whether or not there is any, or if the amount/specific choice is not important. In this way it can be used to mean “if there is any/are any” or “whichever/whatever there is”, or “it doesn’t matter which/what”, which would emphasise the freedom of choice. So for example:

I would appreciate any supplies you can share. (i.e. any amount that is possible)
Take any seat you like. (i.e. you are free to choose any of them)

It’s something that would probably benefit from a whole article, though!

Phil

We use “Any” in questions and negative statement. But here in this answer any is used in positive sentence ,though.

Question : Has anyone offered to help you with the tea?

Answer: No, I would be very grateful for any help you can give.

Is it correct to say any help in positive sentence and why as we know the rule we use any in question and negative sentence.