In Grammar^x, Constructions^x, Simple Past^x

Would it be a correct grammar if I used would have been instead of would in the second sentence or I m required to use by now instead of now in the second sentence If I had done it a year ago I would be rich now If I had done it a year ago I would have been rich now by now I d also like to know...

Hi there Welcome to EF quote user guzhao67 Hello everyone I don t understand the following paragraph cited from a grammar book could you help me please there is an idiomatic exception to the rule that the simple past tense indicates definite meaning this is the construction with always...

Hello everyone I don t understand the following paragraph cited from a grammar book could you help me please there is an idiomatic exception to the rule that the simple past tense indicates definite meaning this is the construction with always illustrated by I always said he would end up in jail...

Hi YSchneider I am not a native speaker and this is indeed a tough grammar point for non native speakers Here is an extract from CGEL Did you lock the front door 5 in a domestic situation where it is known that the front door is locked at bedtime every night In that case 5 is more or less...

Grammar Geek wrote Because with words like should realize that how English is used will vary without one being wrong and one being right It seems that Americans are more likely to use simple past when either would do but the present perfect is alive and well So that said where have you heard...

Bokeh wrote Grammar Geek wrote Are you saying that the simple past is not used for recent events in BrE What about I think I saw a ghost GG that example has different context You are specifically stating that the sighting is over if it were not you would use the present tense I think I can see a...

Hi Grammar Geek Thank you But I have other questions concerning to this verb I d rather prefer Well in the sentence below in spite of the verb is prefer to the idea of it is in the simple present so when the verb to prefer is being used in the simple present or simple past tense it is usually...

Let s go back to the original sentence 1 He thought his mother would understand why he was living in Japan only if she saw his life there with her own eyes If we take this as a literal report there are two possible originals 2 My mother will understand why I am living in Japan only if she sees my...

According to The Oxford Companion to the English Language were is usually used in if I were you But in other cases it has been replaced by was bringing it in line with other verbs where the simple past tense is used for expressing hypotheses about the past and future eg if I only knew how Also...

Hello Janissary 1 If a clause begins with a negative adverb inverted word order must usually be used with the subject following the Simple Present or Simple Past of the verb to be or the first auxiliary In the case of the Simple Present or Simple Past of any verb other than the verb to be the...