Express the Same Ideas with Different Grammar - Kenneth | Learn English at EnglishCafe

English, like other languages, often has a number of manners in which to express an idea. Often this is achieved by using different vocabulary. For example:

The detective looked into the crime.

OR

The detective investigated the crime.

In this case synonymous verbs have been used to express the same idea.

Grammar Changes

Many synonymous statements can be made by changing the grammar. Here are explanations and examples of some of five of the most common grammar changes to express the same idea.

Isn't necessary / Don't have to

If something isn't necessary you can also explain the same idea by using 'don't have to'. For example:

It isn't necessary to dress up for dinner at that restaurant.  

OR

You don't have to dress up for dinner at that restaurant.

Notice how the subject changes from 'it' to 'you' when speaking in general. NOTE Be careful not to confuse 'mustn't' with 'don't have to'. 'Mustn't' expresses prohibition. For example,

Children mustn't play with fire.

'Don't have to' expresses that something is not necessary. For example,  

You don't have to get up early on Saturdays.

Direct Speech / Indirect Speech

Sentences expressed in direct speech use quotes. For example,

Peter said, "I'm going to fly to Chicago tomorrow."

This can be expressed in indirect speech without quotes. For example,

Peter said he wasn't going to fly to Chicago the next day.

Notice that pronouns, time expressions and tenses have been changed to match the initial statement "Peter said ..."

Would do / Used to do

When speaking about past habits both 'would do' and 'used to do' are used to express the same idea. For example,

He would work late almost every night when he first started his job.

OR

He used to work late almost every night when he first started his job.

Present Perfect / Past Simple

When speaking about a situation that began in the past and comes into the present moment in time, it is common to use either the present perfect with a verb expressing the state. For example,

I've lived here since 1979.

However, this idea can also be expressed by using a verb in the past simple to indicate the beginning of a change in a situation. Let's take the example from above: I've lived here since 1979. This sentence could be changed using the verb 'move':

I moved here in 1979.

Here are a few more examples:

Peter's been working here since 2006.

Peter started working here in 2006.

Frank has played tennis since he was five years old.

Frank started playing tennis when he was five years old.

Should / Ought / Had Better

These three modal forms are used to give advice. 'Should' and 'Had better' take the base form of the verb:

You should see a doctor.

OR

You had better see a doctor.

'Ought' takes the infinitive form:

You ought to see a doctor.