Search results for 'tag:Present tenses tag:Clauses' matching tags 'Present tenses' and 'Clauses'

Re: When

Clive — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 19:42:42 GMT

Hi,

It might be helpful to you if I first try to summarize the comments on as/when/while by Michael Swan in his very useful book, 'Practical English Usage'. I think it's possible you may have already looked at this, but here it is anyway.

To talk about actions or situations that take place at the seame time, we can use as/when/while. There are some differences.
1. Backgrounds: as/when/while
We can use all 3 to introduce a longer background action or situation, which is going on when something else happens.
As I was having a shower, the phone rang.
The phone rang when I was havng a shower.
While I was having a shower, the phone rang.

All 3 clauses can go at the beginning or the end, but 'as' clauses usually introduce less important information and most often go at the beginning.

A progressive tense is usually used for the longer background action. But as/while can be used with a simple tense, especially with verbs like sit/lie/grow that refer to a continuous action or state.
As I sat in front of the TV, the phone rang.

3. Simultaneous long actions: while/as

We usually say as/while to show that 2 longer actions or situations went on at the same time. You can use progressive or simple tenses.

While you were sleeping, I was working.
Mary cooked dinner while I watched TV.

'As' is used (with simple tenses) to talk about 2 situations which develop or change together.
As I get older, I get more optimistic.

We prefer 'when' to refer to ages and periods of life.
When I was a child, we lived in Britain. (Not As/While I was a child. . . )

His parents died when he was ten. (Not while he was ten)

3. Simultaneous short actions: (just ) as; (just) when

We usually use (just) as to say that 2 short actions happen at the same time.
As I opened my eyes, I heard a strange voice.
Mary always arrives just as I start work.

(Just) when is also possible.
I thought of it just when you opened your mouth.

4. Reduced clauses with 'when' and 'while'.

It's often possible to omit 'subject + be' after 'when', especially when it means 'whenever', and also after 'while'.
Don't forget to signal when turning right ie when (you are) turning right.
Start when ready ie when (you are) ready.
While in Japan, he learned Japanese. ie while (he was) in Japan.

Now, I'll try to comment on your questions. These are my comments, not Swan's. I haven't refered back to Swan to review my answers. I've just answered from the point of view of an ordinary native speaker.

I'm greatful for your answers. However, I'm still unclear about their usage. Here are my questions:
1.
(1)He carelessly stepped on Jenny's foot while he danced with her.
(2)He carelessly stepped on Jenny's foot while he was dancing with her.

What is the subtle difference in meaning between #1 and #2? #2 suggests more that he did not just dance with her for a short time.

(3)He carelessly stepped on Jenny's foot when he danced with her.
(4)He carelessly stepped on Jenny's foot when he was dancing with her.

What is the difference between #3 and #4? Same comment.

2."While we cleaned the windows, they swept the floor."
(1)Do the two activities sound short or what does it emphasize? No. They just sound complete.
(2)The difference between 'while we were cleaning' and 'while we cleaned' can apply to 'as we were cleaning' and 'as we cleaned' and 'when we were cleaning' and 'when we cleaned'? Yes.

3."It was dark as he was walking home from work."
(1)I am confused why 'as' is ok here because there aren't two actions in the sentence. It's probably because the verb 'be' is special. Here, it describes an ongoing state.
(2)Can I say
"It was dark when/while/as he walked home from work." Yes

4.If 'when' means 'whenever' can I use 'while' or 'as' instead of 'when'? For example,
(1)When/while/As you are traveling, it is normal to have the runs sometimes. 'When/while' sound OK. 'As' doesn't sound so good to me. It also sounds a bit like it might mean 'because'.

Can I use simple present tense here, as in
(2)When/While/As you travel, it is normal to have the runs sometimes. Same comment as just above.

What is the difference between '#1 and #2 #2 stresses duration a bit more.

5.If the same person does two actions during the same period of time, Sould I use while, when or 'as here? Here are three pairs of examples, which is correct in the pairs?

(1)John~~is often whistling~~ when/while/as he is walking. Continuous does not sound correct here, because 'often' refers to a habit, which is best described by a simple tense.
(2)He often whistles when/while/as he walks. I prefer 'while'.

(3)The students took notes while/when/as they listened.
(4)The students were taking notes while/when/as they were listening.
(If the actions happened some time ago) 'When' does not sound good here. It sems to suggest that sometimes the students were not listening. Like'whenever'.

If the actions are happening right now, can I say
(5)The students are taking notes while/when/as they are listening.
or
(6)The students take notes while/when/as they listen.
The tense does not make any difference. Same comments as just above.

6.When it comes to 'age' can I use 'while'? For example,
'When she was only five years old, she could speak three languages.'
Can I use 'while' here instead of 'when? No. See Swan's comment on this.

7.'I thought of it just when you opened your mouth.'

I think 'when' means 'at the time that' here and the two actions happened at the same time. Can I use 'as' instead of 'when' as in
'I thought of it just as you opened your mouth.' Yes.

By the way, what does 'subject to' mean in 'subject to my comments above'?

It means 'Consider my comments above'. 'Yes, subject to my comments above' means "The answer is 'Yes', but only to the extent allowed by my comments above".

Clive

Re: Are my sentences correct? thanks

Clive — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:52:51 GMT

Hi,
Are these sentences correct? Thanks a thousand

The show is called Surviving Suburbia, which will air on Monday on CW.
The subordinate clause describes 'show', not 'suburbia'. So, say
The show, which will air on Monday on CW, is called Surviving Suburbia.

The show which will air in the fall is call Surviving Suburbia. I think I don't need to put "ed" on "call" because It's in future tense.
The main clause is 'The show . . . is called Surviving Suburbia'. There is nothing future about this, so you need 'ed'. 'Is called' is Present Tense.

The future tense is only in the subordinate clause (which will air . . ).

My mom said, "You can't come to my home tomorrow if you don't do your homework."
This is OK, but the meaning is odd. It sounds like the person being spoken to does not live with his/her mother, and even that the mother does not love her child. Most mothers would not say '. . . come to my home. . . ' but simply '. . . come home . . . '.
In addition, it seems like a very harsh punishment.

Best wishes, Clive

Re: Simple Present Tense VS would

CalifJim — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 02:27:26 GMT

However, if you want to show some doubt about whether it is really fine, you may use would as a present tense and say (in your original conversation):

-- That would be fine -- as long as it doesn't stop working while I'm driving at night.

But not:

... as long as it wouldn't stop working ...

You can't put the would in the second part -- in the as long as clause.

Re: That grew?

Clive — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:35:14 GMT

Hi,
This is on page 660 #17 on the SAT OG Book.
One of the brackets is suppose to contain an error.

[Crossing and recrossing] the stream, stepping on or over slippery rocks, and [following] a trail [that grew] steeper and steeper, the hikers soon realized [how challenging] their day would be. [no error]

The correct answer is [no error] but isn't [that grew] wrong? No. "That grew steeper . . .' is a subordinate clause that describes 'trail'.

All the other verbs are in present tense, except this one. Or can the others be gerunds? No, they are not. The first 3 are present participles acting as adjectives to describe 'the hikers'. 'Challenging' describes 'day'.
eg Smiling, he walked into the room.

can you explain a little about gerunds? In simple terms, a gerund is the noun form of a verb, and can be used in the same manner as a noun.
eg I like chocolate.
eg I like walking.
eg I like eating chocolate.

Best wishes, Clive

Re: Noun clause or Adejctive clause

Fandorin — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 21:06:06 GMT

I'm sorry I made a mistake. Of course it's a Nominal Clause. I hurried up.

Her idea that I hire you was a very fun one.

It's kind of Subjunctive. And as I know only Present Tense can be used in Nominal Clause.

Her idea that I hire you is a very fun one.

Re: is this conditional possible?

CalifJim — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 18:07:42 GMT

Anonymous
tell me if we could have the modal 'would' after an if-clause in present tense

You will see it and hear it from time to time, but the canonical form is with the if-clause in the past, as Mr. M. has illustrated above.

is this conditional possible?

Anonymous — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:30:30 GMT

Hi,

Please tell me if we could have the modal 'would' after an if-clause in present tense.

If you make some cookies, I should/would be happy/delighted.

Re: reporting on permanent, on-going, or relevant content

Avangi — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 01:48:40 GMT

Hi,
I'm not sure about the expression, "content that is relevant." I try to make all my content relevant, but sometimes fail.
Often, the status of a condition or situation as to permanance or on-going-ness is common knowledge, or obvious, and sometimes it's not known to the listener or reader (as in the case of your two examples). In my opinion, the writer is free to use whatever tense is appropriate to express his intention, as long as it doesn't present an impossible situation.

I suppose in the case of reported speech, one may ask whether or not the reporter is justified in assuming that a condition is ongoing. The original speaker may no longer have a house in Chicago, and/or may no longer care to play chess. The scenario you describe in 3. is ample justification for using present tense in the that clause.

Personally, I think the reporter should be allowed to judge whether or not a condition is ongoing. If he doesn't know, and if he's reporting in past tense, he should use only past tense in the that clause.

He should also be allowed to report present speech about a past condition: "He says he was living in Chicago at the time of the murder." "He tells me his best event was always the javalin throw."

He should also be allowed to use past tense in reporting a permanent condition. He says/said that to the best of his knowledge, the twin towers are/were still standing. (All four are possible in the right situations.) He says/said he always thought that Texas is/was larger than Alaska. He says/said Texas is larger than Alaska. He said Texas was larger than Alaska. NOT He says Texas was larger than Alaska.

2. utterance: I want - He said he wants to go.
utterance: I will - He said he will/would go.

Best wishes, - A.

reporting on permanent, on-going, or relevant content

Anonymous — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 22:51:00 GMT

Hi,
1. Would you say if a person is reporting on a content that is permanent, on-going, or relevant in content nature, the reporting word could be both present and past and also, do you feel both present and past tenses are OK in the that-clause?

He said/says his house is/was in Chicago.
He said/says his favorite hobby is/was playing chess.

2. Do you feel all three ar OK? Or just the modal 'would'? I think this deals with intentions and am not sure an intention can be said to be that of on-gong in nature.

His utterance: "I want/will go to the party tomorrow"

He said that he will/would/wants go to that party tommorrow.

3. we are not sure if his house is in Chicago for some reason for a number one exam ple, would you say, what I would call a reporting word should be in present tense?

His utterance: "My house is in Chicago"
He says his house in Chicago at yesterday's party.

Re: this would be/contact

Huevos — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:16:40 GMT

Newguest
So, "were" in the present simple tense refers to a hypothetical situation.

Yes, or one that is contrary to reality.

I see four options in the suborbinate clause if the main clause is present tense, although there may be more.

I think it depends on whether it would be a high salary or a low salary.
I think it depends on whether it will be a high salary or a low salary.
I think it depends on whether it were a high salary or a low salary.
I think it depends on whether it is a high salary or a low salary.