Won't, wouldn't; was looking

Posted by Kate on May 15, 2001

In Reply to: Won't, wouldn't; was looking posted by R. Berg on May 08, 2001

: : : : Hi!
: : : : I have two questions. Would you tell me which sentence sounds strange? My guess is 5. and 6. are not good.

: : : : 1.Won't you please help me carry this baggage?
: : : : 2.Wouldn't you please help me carry this baggage? (maybe sound very polite?)

: : : : 3.As I looked at the picture, I thought this and that.
: : : : 4.As I was looking at the picture, I thought this and that.
: : : : 5.As I looked at the picture, I was thinking this and that.
: : : : 6.As I was looking at the picture, I was thinking this and that.

: : : : Thank you very mucu for your help.

: : : : All the best,

: : : : K. Yone

: : :
: : : Number 2 sounds completely wrong the rest are OK.

: : I agree. All sound OK, except 2.

: What's wrong with 2: If it didn't contain "please," it would sound angry or pleading. "Won't you help me" is all right, but "Will you help me" is what people usually say.

: If you looked at the picture very briefly, you have to say "I looked." If you looked at the picture for a long time, you can say "I was looking."

Okay. I'm going out on a limb with this, but frankly I think they all sound a bit odd.

#1 The way it's worded sounds so negative. How about, Can you.....
#2 sounds like you're begging.
#3 & #5 is just a matter of past or present tense.
#4 & 6 As I... how about, While looking....

Just a thought in passing.