In Tenses^x, Conversations^x

Hi Jisu, I'd say the answer to your question is no. I can't think of a case where "before" may be substituted for a correct useage of "ago." Before always requires a time reference. It's comparing two different times in the past, saying time B was before time...

Maybe the purpose of my second example isn't clear. I was just trying to emphasize the fact that the conversation took place in the past. So when referring to the past exchanges, we should use the past tense. Similarly, the act of the nurse telling the patient was in the past so when one...

Well, I'll give you a second opinion and someone else can give you the third!I met an old high school friend ... yesterday. It had been three years since we'd talked. << This is technically correct.I met an old high school friend ... yesterday. It has been three years since...

CJ, I'm not quite sure I get your explanation. MH has a very good point but I remember you said a long time ago (probably a year) that in cases like this, nativespeakers tend to use the past tense throughout. I've been trying to apply that butI have to say, MH's view makes more...

Hi Ant222, My English skill is not in the “grammarian” class but I will give it my best attempt to explain it. It may not may not be agreeable with the experts. In many instances during casual conversations, we can bet by with simple past tense and no one will flag you for errors. However, to...

Hi, An explanation, please. Present Perfect tense means past time related to present time and one of its uses is: an action that happened at an indefinite time in the past, e.g.: I have travelled to Athens. But in the sentence: I have read a magazine * today ,how to explain that we don't...

Not really.The second sentence indicates a time in the future, perhaps very soon.The first sentence is a bit odd, because the use of the simple present tense already implies "as usual". This could be used, of course, in casual conversation.English is notorious for interchanging tenses,...

In fact, it's probably a mixture of both - they are still trying to solve the problem so some elements are past and some are present.Maybe he still thinks, and they still resent, but his communication with them is past. GG, thanks for the reply. I like this comment of yours because...

My teacher teach me I should use "will verb" in future tense. "Be verbing" is only for an event which is doing now

Hi Sir, Thank you so much for your taking time to help me and may God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, bless you greatly.. Sir, what is the proper verb to be use here? Why is it that even if it did happen in the past (the conversation, I mean) I can read a lot of them using the present tense...