Q: If I kept hoping that John Cleese would appear out of nowhere, and say, in the high dudgeon of his Dead Parrot routine, 'They're dead!, can we say that "I hoped John Cleese would say "they're dead"! "?

A: yes

Q: If take a twenty two and find a creek, can we say that "Grab a small caliber gun (.22) or rifle (.22) and find a stream."?

A: yes

Q: If it's easy now, can we say that "It used to be complex."?

A: it is not possible to tell

Q: If The Apple-Microsoft deal takes both covers., can we say that "The Apple-Microsoft deal goes both ways."?

A:
yes