Were / Are

Share on Facebook

jack112

#150449 Sat, 22 Oct 05 04:42 AM

What do these ones mean? Correct me if I'm wrong.

1. What are some of the questions that are on the test? (Both are in present tense, questions are still on the test and the test is still on.)
2. What were some of the questions that are on the test? (With 'were' here it means at the time you did the test? And again present for test, meaning the test is still on.)

3. What were some of the questions that were on the test? (Both past tense, meaning at the time you did it.)

4. What are some of the questions that were on the test? (This is the one that I don't get. It really confuses me. Is this correct? I don't think I can use 'are' here? The test is over? Or am I asking about the test at the time he did it? If so, is this the same as #2? )

For all of these, I should either use #1 or #3 right for best construction?

Thanks.

jack112

Joined on Thu, Jul 22 2004

Regular Member (715)

Constructions, Tenses, Present tenses, Past tenses

Clive

#150461 Sat, 22 Oct 05 05:50 AM

Hi,

1. What are some of the questions that are on the test? (Both are in present tense, questions are still on the test and the test is still on.Yes, that's waht it means.)

2. What were some of the questions that are on the test? (With 'were' here it means at the time you did the test? And again present for test, meaning the test is still on.)This sounds a bit odd. You did the test and the test is still on? How is that possible, unless you left the test before it was over?

3. What were some of the questions that were on the test? (Both past tense, meaning at the time you did it. Yes, that's what it means)

4. What are some of the questions that were on the test? (This is the one that I don't get. It really confuses me. Is this correct? I don't think I can use 'are' here? The test is over? You can say this if the test finished recently. You are thinking that the test still 'exists', hence 'are', but that the person has finished it, hence 'were'. Wink [;)]