B2–C1 · GFB · GFB017

Subject + would not + infinitive + past context

Explanation

A reusable frame from “Modal scope and past inference”. Compare how English and German express modal scope and past inference. Practise reusable constructions with Russian translations.

Structure

EN · EnglishSubject + would not + infinitive + past context

DE · GermanSubject + wollte(n) nicht + infinitive

Anchor phrase

RU · Translation

Он отказывался сказать мне, что произошло.

EN · English

He would not tell me what had happened.

DE · German

Er wollte mir nicht sagen, was passiert war.

Try variations2 · more examples

RU · Translation
Она отказывалась принимать помощь.
EN · English
She would not accept any help.
DE · German
Sie wollte keine Hilfe annehmen.
RU · Translation
Двигатель никак не заводился, сколько бы я ни пытался.
EN · English
The engine would not start, however often I tried.
DE · German
Der Motor wollte nicht anspringen, so oft ich es auch versuchte.

Pattern graph

Continue with nearby patterns

GFB001Subject + need not have + past participleGFB GFB016Subject + may not have + past participleGFB GFB014Subject + cannot be too + adjective + contextGFB GFB019Subject + had better not + bare infinitiveGFB

03Try variations2 · more examples

Continue with nearby patterns

Try variations2 · more examples