In Tenses^x, Conversations^x

Dear teachers, What is the difference in meaning between these sentences ? 1) a) It is (high) time I / we went. (it is a little late ?) b) It is (high) time for us to go. (the correct time has arrived ?) 2) a) It is (high) time they were married. (describes a state, a situation...

You and your classmate don't seem to have any standard by which both of you agree to measure influence. Will it be the number of words related to each? Will it be the most frequently used words? The most frequently used words in everyday conversation? The most frequently used words in formal...

Calif Jim I used past tense in the 'posing' example because I was imagining a press article describing the event. When we say "Manchester United are (or is) posing for photos", we are doing so in the belief that the listener or reader will infer we mean the players - or at least those players...

It was a curious business. It made things very awkward for foreign businessmen who, when faced with a few stumbling words of French or German from their British counterparts, were put in the difficult position of deciding how to guide the conversation gently back to a language that was...

Dear teachers, Would you please have a look at my exercise? Complete the following conversation using the correct tense. KIM : This is the first time I have eaten / I am eating (eat) snails. YOU : I hate them ! I ate (eat) snail for the first and last time when we went (go) to a very...

Grammatically OK (though tense agreement would more normal), but not very natural, KK. Try: 'I feel my English ability still has a long way to go.' 'I feel my English ability still has a lot of room for improvement.'

Paco has it right. This is a special case we may call the 'past of politeness'. You are making a suggestion to your friend about going to the beach. You are trying to influence your friend. With "thought" you are just stating what you thought. No influence over another is implied. The rules of...

Following is yet another example I have made to clear my doubt. a) Mika: I met Patrick yesterday and he tells me that he is going to Berlin tomorrow. b) Mika: I met Patrick yesterday and he told me that he is going to Berlin tomorrow. c) Mika: I met Patrick yesterday and he told me that he...

I would use 'is' as Martin is quoting Peter, who was speaking in the present tense. He is from Greece. If he 'was' from Greece, it could be taken to mean that he no longer lives there. Martin is reporting a conversation that happened in the past, but the fact the Peter lives in Greece, is still...

Cut down the adjectives. Angrily, with anger in his eyes, with concern, etc etc. Show, don't tell. e.g. Dan flashed his bloodshot eyes at Ned (or something like that) The doors and the windows were closing and being locked carefully. Soon the town streets were left empty as they had been for...