Search results for 'tag:Images tag:Tenses' matching tags 'Images' and 'Tenses'

Re: past tense of 'may'

Marius Hancu — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 20:38:27 GMT

That's only true in a superficial approach.

Pretty much, they are independent verbs, appearing in all tenses.

See this by Mister Micawber:

Mister Micawber #42001 Fri, 13 Aug 04 08:36 AM

Hi Deer,

'May' and 'might' are related by psychological or social (but not temporal) distance; they are usually interchangeable. 'Might' is more remote than 'may', but neither normally has a 'past' meaning, except by using the 'have' + -ed form: 'I may/might have left my wallet at home.'

Again, the passive has the same relationship to the active as we saw with 'can/could': the object of the active verb becomes the subject of the passive verb.

-for possibility:

'The police may arrest me tomorrow.'
'The police might arrest me tomorrow.' (considered a slightly more remote possibility than with 'may')
'I may be arrested (by the police) tomorrow.'
'I might be arrested (by the police) tomorrow.'

-for permission:

'May I use the car tonight?'
'Might I use the car tonight?' (the speaker is slightly more remote in status, i.e. is more polite)
'May your garden be photographed (by our horticultural club)?'
'Might your garden be photographed (by our horticultural club)?'

-for wishes ('may' only, and an uncommon usage):

'May you have a Merry Christmas!'
'I hope your son may not be bullied at boarding school next year.'

Re: correct sentences 24/11

Teo — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 06:09:54 GMT

They won't smoke ever since they saw a film on lung cancer.

What does "won't" mean here?

Re: correct sentences 24/11

Teo — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 06:09:49 GMT

http://forums.eslcafe.com/student/viewtopic.php?t=22113&highlight=

Re: grammar exercise

Hela — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 15:06:29 GMT

Dear teachers,

In the exercise above there was something missing that could have helped us find the right tenses at the end of the passage. Here it is, and what do you think of my choices, please?

ON the morning I arrived I went to call ON Hislop. He (modal + not + pretend) COULD NOT PRETEND he (not know) DID NOT KNOW me, but he behaved as though he knew nothing about what I (do) HAD DONE. When I asked for permission to stay, he said it was OUT OF his hands. He said the merchants (not want) DID NOT me (land) TO LAND. They had made a petition to him. They said that FOR six months they had been cut off from trade with the Main because of me, and [now] they (ruin) WERE RUINED for nothing at all. The petition (debate) HAD BEEN DEBATED that very morning in the Council. Hislop thought I (modal + attend) SHOULD HAVE ATTENDED (??) the meeting. I suppose that was friendly advice. If I (not go) HAD NOT GONE, perhaps Bernard (not speak up) WOULD NOT HAVE SPOKEN for me as he did, and if Bernard hadn't spoken up, the vote (go) WOULD HAVE GONE against me. Hislop (be) WAS full of regrets, of course, but I (modal + leave) WOULD NOT LEAVE (??). Heaven (know) KNOWS where I would have been now.

I'm not sure at all about the underlined parts. I think that what I've written is not coherent at all!

Thanks again,
Hela

Re: wish clauses

Goodman — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 17:52:34 GMT

Yoong Liat wrote:
Hi Goodman

You wrote: I have been labeled and called by many descriptions, hinted being âIgnorantâ is the first ...

I'm not hinting that you're ignorant. I say that if a learner tells me "informal" means "wrong", I'll understand that he says so because he is ignorant. But you are not a learner. You're one of the members who have a good command of English. So that's why I say it's not correct for you to say that a usage, which is classified as "informal", is wrong.

I've reproduced below what Michael Swan has to say about "I wish I was ... " and "I wish it wasn't ..." and let the members decide whether you're right to say "I wish it was not raining" or "I wish it wasn't raining" is a wrong usage.

We can use 'wish' to express regrets - to say that we would like things to be different. We use a past tense with a present meaning in this case.
I wish I was better-looking.
I wish it wasn't raining.

In a formal style, we can use 'were' instead of 'was' after 'I wish'.
I wish I were better-looking.

(Basic English Usage by Michael Swan)

Best wishes.

Liat,

With our differences in point of view, I appreciate your reply. For all intents and an purposes, I am still a learner on a different level but I perhaps have the advantage being in a completely English environment and therefore, I may appear to have better command. That said, I do feel there is a certain slight inconsistency among all the different English websites, particularly on the subjunctive. There should not be any argument that âIf I wereâ or âI wish I wereâ is a subjunctive mood. The difference of the agruement really lies in the defining of the rules and the mood expressed in the senstence. The early website quoted âI wish I wasâ as informal.

In reality, after reading this article, that is indeed incorrect. The bottom line, " I wish I was" is against the subjunctive ruels. Take a look at the explanation on this website then you may come to agree with what I said in my earlier threads.

Confusingly enough, in the "self test", some of of the answers are considered "acceptable" or "informal" by some. I should hope that this piece will settle all questions about indicative and subjunctive moods.

Subjunctive Mood

However, if a form of the verb to be were used in that sentence, all polished writers would agree that the subjunctive is necessary: "If he were [not was] ...
www.getitwriteonline.com/archive/073001.htm - 16k - Cached - Similar page



GIW Home		writeDate(); Mon Oct. 8, 2007 \| Tell a Friend \| Subscribe \| Order Our Book
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	Writing Tip: July 30, 2001 The Subjunctive Mood Examine the verbs in each of the following sentences: 1. If Harrison were chosen to be the next chief executive officer of the corporation, several controversial hiring practices would change. 2. If I were you, I would increase my weekly contribution to the company-sponsored retirement fund. 3. I wish that his report were longer. 4. We recommend that the trip be postponed because of violence in the region. 5. The finance department requests that he submit updated budget projections each month. All the above sentences are correct. Two terms apply to the mood of English verbs: indicative and subjunctive. An indicative verb makes a statement that is factual, whereas a verb in the subjunctive mood is used to indicate a situation or condition that is hypothetical, doubtful, or conditional. In the indicative mood, we would never write "Harrison were," "I were," "report were," "trip be," or "he submit," but these verbs are correct in the examples above because each of the sentences is written in the subjunctive mood; that is, in every case, the sentence is describing a situation that is hypothetical or conditional: 1. Harrison is not now the C.E.O., but hypothetically he could be chosen for that position. The conditional nature of the position is suggested by the word if. 2. Again, as the word if makes clear, I am not, in fact, you. So once again the situation is hypothetical and conditional: I would save more only under the condition that I became you. 3. His report is not, in fact, longer, so the sentence speaks of a hypothetical situation. 4. The trip is not currently postponed, so the subjunctive mood is appropriate to suggest a possibility, not an actuality. 5. He is not currently submitting reports monthly, so we use the subjunctive mood to discuss the possibility--not the actuality--of his doing so. For all verbs except to be, the present subjunctive mood is most often made by omitting the characteristic s ending on verbs with third-person singular subjects. Thus, whereas in the indicative mood we would write "man leaves," in the subjunctive mood we would omit the s on the verb leave: "The judge insisted that the man not leave town." For the verb to be, we simply use be for all present tense subjunctive mood verbs and were for all past tense forms, regardless of whether the subject is singular or plural. The Columbia Guide to Standard American English (New York: MJF Books, 1993) points out that while many subjunctive-mood phrases are commonly used in ordinary speech--"if I were you," "if need be," "far be it from me," and so on--strict use of the subjunctive mood is rare, even in the most formal speaking and writing situations (243). Very few people would write, for example, "If he arrive on time, we will have dinner before the show." However, if a form of the verb to be were used in that sentence, all polished writers would agree that the subjunctive is necessary: "If he were [not was] to arrive on time, we could have dinner before the show." The Harbrace College Handbook (13th edition) lists other common, fixed expressions that are stated in the subjunctive mood: "so be it," "be that as it may," "as it were," and "God bless you" (99-100). TEST YOURSELF Which of the following sentences need verbs in the subjunctive mood? 1. If I was Sam, I would hire an assistant now before the hiring freeze takes effect. 2. The committee suggested that Dr. Jones is chosen as the next chief of staff. 3. As August approaches, every school child wishes that his or her vacation was longer. 4. It is critical that every potential donor gives blood during this shortage. ANSWERS 1. If I WERE Sam, I would hire an assistant now before the hiring freeze takes effect. 2. The committee suggested that Dr. Jones BE chosen as the next chief of staff. 3. As August approaches, every school child wishes that his or her vacation WERE longer. This is almost the exact sentence identified as correct in your past post. 4. It is critical that every potential donor GIVE blood during this shortage. Copyright 2001 Get It Write More Tips \| Tell a Friend *Special Request:* Please share these tips with friends and colleagues and encourage them to subscribe. (If you post the tips to an internal distribution list of any size, please tell us the nature of the list and the number of subscribers. We would like to know how many people we are reaching with this service. We appreciate your positive feedback and excellent comments!)

Even though/if

Angliholic — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 06:02:29 GMT

Even though I have enough money to buy an expensive car, i don't have anywhere to park it.
Even if I had enough money to buy an expensive car, i don't have anywhere to park it.

Does the first sentense sound as right as the second one? Thanks.

It wasn't the first problem we had had.

Rotter — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 17:39:41 GMT

At the spent nuclear fuel storage facility at Andreeva Bay, north-west of Saida Bay, you can see why.

It is dangerous. The delegation had to wear protective clothing even for their brief visit.

It is a sensitive location. The Russians told television crews, including the BBC, they had to agree to their pictures being censored if they wished to film.

It wasn't the first problem we had had. Earlier in the day, at the naval dockyard in Polyarny, we had been prevented from filming a submarine which was due to be broken up.

I assume he was an agent of the FSB, the Russian secret police. He demanded to see what was on the cassette in our camera.

We had not even been able to film the delegation looking at the submarine. Even with the Cold War over, the Soviet navy's nuclear legacy is still surrounded by secrecy and suspicion.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was not the first problem we had had.

Is it fine to write 'had had' in the above?

It will be correct to say ' It was not the problem we had.'

I can't understand the use of two words of 'had'.

However, this borders past perfect.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The fifth sentence of the above is fine:

The Russians told the crew ...

They had to agree ...

[Just the imperfect tense.]

----------------------------------------------------------------------

The seventh sentence is also fine:

Earlier in the day ...

We had been prevented ...

[Just the imperfect tense.]

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Re: What is the difference between when and while?

Clive — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 17:35:32 GMT

Trex wrote:

1. When the phone rang, I was taking a shower.

2. While I was taking a shower, the phone rang.

3. When I was taking a shower, the phone rang.

4. While the phone rang, I was taking a shower.

Here how would you explain the difference between 2 and 3? I would say that they are very similar, in that the continuous tense in both focuses on the duration of the shower activity, but I would also say that the addition of 'while' adds more emphasis on this duration.

Does 4 mean the ringing lasted throughout the shower? Not to me. That's certainly not how I would say it in such a case.

Best wishes, Clive

Re: could you help me with my cv ???????

Grammar Geek — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 23:17:08 GMT

The formatting is VERY hard to overcome in this. Decide which tense - past - and use it consistencly. Check ALL of your spelling!! Capitalize proper nouns.

(for future reference, don't post your personal contact information in the forum)

Born: 16/10/78 At least in the US, we do not put our birthdays on resumes. I believe it's the same in the UK. Ask a Brit.

Languages: English, Spanish Have your titles start with capital letters, and make sure languages also start with capitals

Status: European residence European should also be capitalized. Is this important?

Computers skills: Microsoft Office products, including X, Y, Z, and database programs (list them - but not Access - that's part of Office.)

Objective: A position in which I can use my financial and  business skills to further the goals of the company

Education

 
2002 â 2003                ESIC business school, Madrid (Spain), Masters in Finance

1996 â 2000                Northern University (Colombia), BA in Business Administration (graduated with honors)

Employment

 
2002 â 2006       Abba Advertisement & Communnication, Madrid, SSpain

                      Administrative and financial assistant

Processed and managed administrative/financial information for the director to manage comapny's activity.

Provided administrative support to develop a strong team and clear communications.

Addressed all administrative and financial issues.

Selected accomplisments: These are duties, not accomplishments

Neogtiated with suppliers to reduce prices for projects/products and improve profitability.

Processed and verified all accounts payable for *** supplier

```
Managed insurance policies
```

Developed strategic solutions that strengthen investment goals.  What? Leave this out unless you can quantify.

Served as liaison to other departments for sales, costs, and profitability for campaigns/services offering for the company.

Controlled and verified the liquidation and payments of annual bonus (rappel) from suppliers.

2000 â 2002               Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Barranquilla, Colombia

                                Assistant of development and competitiveness department

I'm sorry, but the formatting is too much for me to work with.

Try pasting your resume into a program like Notebook, cleaning it up, and reposting it here.

Advicing companies for their competitive development on the market, based on strengths.

Selected accomplisments:

<!--[if !supportLists]-->Â·    <!--[endif]-->Analysing the competitive condition of companies.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->Â·    <!--[endif]-->Researching on the behavior of markets in order to find out different opportunities of insertion for companies.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->Â·    <!--[endif]-->Setting up work strategies for company clusters in order to improve their establisment and succed in the market.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->Â·    <!--[endif]-->Writing articles and publications based in economic researches and analisys in order to help the performance of companies in the market.

  1999 â 2000                 Water of Barcelona (Triple A, AGBAR), Barranquilla (Colombia)

                                    Intership finance department

<!--[if !supportLists]-->Â·    <!--[endif]-->Supporting different areas of the department.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->Â·    <!--[endif]-->Reporting to the accounting director about investments of the company.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->Â·    <!--[endif]-->Codifing different costs projects for its assignment according to departments.

           Publications

              &  Honors

 
<!--[if !vml]-->hapes="_x0000_s1029"><!--[endif]-->

2000 â 2001               The strategic sectors of the manufacturing industry of North Colombia

                                  and their possibilities of insertion in the Great Caribbean. Edition 201
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]-->
<!--[endif]-->

1996 â 2000               Graduated with honors, ba business administration, northern university

Re: Wrought- work or wreak?

Marius Hancu — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 11:53:48 GMT

It seems things are under dispute

http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_/wrought.html
(see the end)
Word Usage


	Wrought is an old past tense and past participle not of wreak (for which the past tense is wreaked) but of work: it is the equivalent of modern worked. Wrought survives mainly as an adjective in a few, rather specialized contexts such as wrought iron; it is seen also in the set phrase What hath God wrought (used by Samuel Morse in the first successful test of the telegraph). Wrought havoc is not correct; it should be wreaked havoc.

-----------------

but I'd take Oxford's view, which is more explicit than Cambridge in this case.



GIW Home		writeDate(); Mon Oct. 8, 2007 \| Tell a Friend \| Subscribe \| Order Our Book
		Resources: Writing Tips \| More Tips
	Writing Tip: July 30, 2001 The Subjunctive Mood Examine the verbs in each of the following sentences: 1. If Harrison were chosen to be the next chief executive officer of the corporation, several controversial hiring practices would change. 2. If I were you, I would increase my weekly contribution to the company-sponsored retirement fund. 3. I wish that his report were longer. 4. We recommend that the trip be postponed because of violence in the region. 5. The finance department requests that he submit updated budget projections each month. All the above sentences are correct. Two terms apply to the mood of English verbs: indicative and subjunctive. An indicative verb makes a statement that is factual, whereas a verb in the subjunctive mood is used to indicate a situation or condition that is hypothetical, doubtful, or conditional. In the indicative mood, we would never write "Harrison were," "I were," "report were," "trip be," or "he submit," but these verbs are correct in the examples above because each of the sentences is written in the subjunctive mood; that is, in every case, the sentence is describing a situation that is hypothetical or conditional: 1. Harrison is not now the C.E.O., but hypothetically he could be chosen for that position. The conditional nature of the position is suggested by the word if. 2. Again, as the word if makes clear, I am not, in fact, you. So once again the situation is hypothetical and conditional: I would save more only under the condition that I became you. 3. His report is not, in fact, longer, so the sentence speaks of a hypothetical situation. 4. The trip is not currently postponed, so the subjunctive mood is appropriate to suggest a possibility, not an actuality. 5. He is not currently submitting reports monthly, so we use the subjunctive mood to discuss the possibility--not the actuality--of his doing so. For all verbs except to be, the present subjunctive mood is most often made by omitting the characteristic s ending on verbs with third-person singular subjects. Thus, whereas in the indicative mood we would write "man leaves," in the subjunctive mood we would omit the s on the verb leave: "The judge insisted that the man not leave town." For the verb to be, we simply use be for all present tense subjunctive mood verbs and were for all past tense forms, regardless of whether the subject is singular or plural. The Columbia Guide to Standard American English (New York: MJF Books, 1993) points out that while many subjunctive-mood phrases are commonly used in ordinary speech--"if I were you," "if need be," "far be it from me," and so on--strict use of the subjunctive mood is rare, even in the most formal speaking and writing situations (243). Very few people would write, for example, "If he arrive on time, we will have dinner before the show." However, if a form of the verb to be were used in that sentence, all polished writers would agree that the subjunctive is necessary: "If he were [not was] to arrive on time, we could have dinner before the show." The Harbrace College Handbook (13th edition) lists other common, fixed expressions that are stated in the subjunctive mood: "so be it," "be that as it may," "as it were," and "God bless you" (99-100). TEST YOURSELF Which of the following sentences need verbs in the subjunctive mood? 1. If I was Sam, I would hire an assistant now before the hiring freeze takes effect. 2. The committee suggested that Dr. Jones is chosen as the next chief of staff. 3. As August approaches, every school child wishes that his or her vacation was longer. 4. It is critical that every potential donor gives blood during this shortage. ANSWERS 1. If I WERE Sam, I would hire an assistant now before the hiring freeze takes effect. 2. The committee suggested that Dr. Jones BE chosen as the next chief of staff. 3. As August approaches, every school child wishes that his or her vacation WERE longer. This is almost the exact sentence identified as correct in your past post. 4. It is critical that every potential donor GIVE blood during this shortage. Copyright 2001 Get It Write More Tips \| Tell a Friend *Special Request:* Please share these tips with friends and colleagues and encourage them to subscribe. (If you post the tips to an internal distribution list of any size, please tell us the nature of the list and the number of subscribers. We would like to know how many people we are reaching with this service. We appreciate your positive feedback and excellent comments!)