Search results for 'tag:Present tenses' matching tag 'Present tenses'

Re: select few

Clive — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:37:09 GMT

Hi,
Actually I wanted to see the difference between select a few and selected a few.

It's just present tense / past tense. Or are you asking about something else?
Clive

PS
Perhaps you mean this adjectival form.

They only represent a select few young girls.
They only represent a selected few young girls.

Say #1, not #2.

Re: Pigeon roosting problem - past or present tense?

Grammar Geek — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:20:00 GMT

N2G raises a good point. If they are still there and you're sure, then use "roost." If you want to talk about when you were there, use "roosted."

Re: Pigeon roosting problem - past or present tense?

New2grammar — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:49:16 GMT

Peaceblinkfriend
Supposing there are still pigeons roosting on the window ledges where you used to live.

You can't be sure can you? I mean you are no longer living there so I would use the past tense.

Also, why my room? It's no longer your room. Try my old room or something like that.

Just my opinion.

Pigeon roosting problem - past or present tense?

Peaceblinkfriend — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:37:04 GMT

Hi all,

If you are describing to your friend about how pigeons would roost on the window ledges at the place where you lived, would you use the past tense of the verb 'roosted' or the present tense, 'roost'? Supposing there are still pigeons roosting on the window ledges where you used to live.

"Pigeons roosted on the window ledge. And I'm talking about the window in my room. Can you believe it?"
"Pigeons roost on the window ledge. And I'm talking about the window in my room. Can you believe it? "

Thanks

PBF

Re: I find/found it difficult to park a/the car along a/the kerb.

New2grammar — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:38:17 GMT

My take:

Peaceblinkfriend
Suppose I found this to be the case some time ago and I still find this to hold true

Depends on your emphasis. I would use the present tense unless I was referring to a particular incident in the past.

I find/found it difficult to park a/the car along a/the kerb.

a car? Only if you want to be general. Not very natural in most cases, unless you are a DOT officer analyzing how parking friendly the street is.

The car is OK. doesn't sound like your car. It makes me think you had difficulty parking a rental car or someone else's car which you're not used to either because of the size or manuverabitly of it.

Or just "PARK along ..." It's understood.

The curb - specific curb.

A curb - any curb. very general just like the explanation for a car.

My explanation may not be correct though I'm quite confident it is :) . Just my opinion.

I find/found it difficult to park a/the car along a/the kerb.

Peaceblinkfriend — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:22:17 GMT

I find it difficult to park a/the car along a/the kerb.

I found it difficult to park a/the car along a/the kerb.

Suppose I found this to be the case some time ago and I still find this to hold true, what should I say? Should I use the present tense or the past tense?

Also, could you please tell me what articles I should use here?

Thank you in advance.

PBF

Re: since

New2grammar — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 03:33:44 GMT

CalifJim
No present tense with ever since.

That's what I've always thought but recently I saw a post by a native on this topic, in which has an example:

I visit my mother every week since I bought the car.

Re: since

CalifJim — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 03:29:26 GMT

I'm supposing you really mean met with -- had a meeting with, and not met -- was introduced to him for the first time.

I've liked him ever since I met with him.

For the "introduction" meaning:

I've liked him ever since I met him.

No present tense with ever since.

Re: he would not let me

optilang — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:47:48 GMT

If, in the story, you are talking about a repeated action (still happening) then the present tense is ok.

Example:

He had an accident a couple of months ago, and after 6 weeks he came home from hospital. He has to stay in bed for another 3 months, so I have to look after him. The major problem is that he cannot move in bed and is in danger of getting bed sores. I try to turn him onto his back (5 times every day) but he won't let me.

Re: enter...noisy class

Mister Micawber — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:44:51 GMT

.
If I asked you to do me only one kindness, Vincent, it would be to avoid the simple present tense. It makes most of your sentences slightly unreal. Do you think that you could do that for me in the future, Vincent? Just one simple thing-- use a different tense and aspect. Use past or future or perfect or progressive:

He entered the noisy class.

When he entered the class, the class was noisy

While entering the class / classroom, it was noisy.-- No; the presumed subject must be the same for enter and be

When entering the class, the class is noisy.-- No (as above)