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

social justice issue essay

sandie_bummie — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 05:45:33 GMT

hi! i need to write essay about social justice issue, and my topic is "marriage". can somebody help me check my grammarm verb tense and proofread it for me. thanks in advance i really appreciate it..

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Social Justice âMarriageâ

Marriage is a custom which can be found in every human culture. Although the forms and rules are differ. Marriage is a form of commitment between man and woman. It is a legal recognized relationship by a religious ceremony between man and woman who intent to live together as sexual and domestic partners. It is can also an arrangement between families whereby parents create a kind of business transaction in order to maintain family status and level. Modern marriages become more complicated today due to social justice issue such as homosexual marriage and divorce.

Arrangement marriage used to be common in the ancient world and it is still practice in most countries today especially to those high power and status families. Parents have control over their childâs happiness. They will one who will choose and decide to whom their child going to marry. For the sake of family status and power they sacrifice their own childâs happiness. Freedom and happiness have been taken out from their children. Arrangement marriage is also a form of solemn promise between two families. My parent married was arranged but they opting for love marriage. Even though they donât love each other, but at least they know each other for long time. They try to accept and love the one another and now they live happily with six children in a comfortable living. This kind of marriage arrangement is good because both families know each other very well. But not for others, they donât even know who their going to marry. They cannot see the appearance and personality until the wedding day. Marriage means people marrying for love and live rest of their life for the person their love. Unfortunately, marriage is just a primary union which made good economic sense and in order to solidify political alliances.

Modern people are pushing the trend toward amorality same-sex marriage. Same-sex marriage has been top debate issue in our political and society today. Even higher Supreme Courts take action about this matter. Majority people are opposing about same-sex marriage or gay marriage, especially in religious groups. They insist that marriage is between one man and on woman. They been taught this way and it was written in Holy Bible for many thousand years. As a Christian myself, I have been taught by pastors, church members and family that there only two gender that God created. Gay is considering a moral sin. Although, I have been taught that way but I never look down on gay people. I have big respect for them, it is not their choice to be gay it happen from their own will. They also human have the right to choose who they want to married. I support gay civil union for gay couples, but it doesnât mean that I support gay marriage. Marriage has been union of one man and one woman in all human cultures throughout human history. It has been the standard custom in many cultures for several thousand years. Unfortunately, the definition of marriage today is radically different from what it was several thousand years ago. Same-sex marriage destroys the definition of marriage, because it no longer represents the inherently procreative relationship of opposite sex pair bonding.

Marriage was born from primitive cultures that recognized that males and females mated and as a result produced children that needed to be cared for. Unfortunately, the rates of files divorce increasing rapidly especially in United State. Many people filing divorce because the relationship is not going well. In the first place they didnât know what is marriage really means. They just though that the intimate love between two people are enough to get married. It is more than that; it is more on responsibility and sacrifice. It is an idea couples committing for life and raising children together and sharing the struggles of survival. Divorce is the most stressful event that affects family especially on children. Children may feel a great loss and as well as anxiety and sadness. Back in hundred years ago, divorce cases are very rare. Even the love between both parents is gone; they still stay together for the sake of their children. Parent divorce made a big impact on children, from old saying that âchildren learn what they liveâ is very true. Parent is childrenâs role model, whatever parent do the children will imitate it. Children of divorced parents perform more poorly in school. They also are more likely to repeat a grade and to have higher drop-out rates and lower rates of college graduation. It is really big impact for our society; federal government spent more money on school because higher repeat grade. Marriage is foundation of family. However, the foundation is getting weak and higher consumption for singles.

The meaning of marriage is differs from one person to another, from time to another. In ancient times, marriage is a form condition where women most treated as a property for men. Historically period, marriage is permanent institution that once entered cannot be dissolved beside death. Romantic love has been made the most important basis for marriage. Marriage is also a commitment and agreement of both men and women. Certainly, in the modern world, the meaning of marriage is become more complicated. Marriage is primary union which made good economic sense. People are pushing the trend into an amorality society. Same-sex couples are pursuing the right to be married. Unfortunately, a legal recognition didnât allow same-sex to be married, it will change the meaning of marriage extremely differ. In addition, higher divorce rates many children will not be raised in a traditional family unit. The meaning of marriage never define, it is changing as the times change. As society changes, the institution of marriage changes as well.

Re: Can someone check the gammar, please?

Pjlusk83 — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 23:57:43 GMT

Hello,
I am going to put my suggestions and corrections next to your words, but they will be in bold, in paraenthese, and on the right side of the word(s) so you know which word and what my suggestion is. Is that ok with you? Tell me what you think. Also, in case you did not notice, you seem to writing an article, so this needs to be kept in second or third person. I will not correct but a few tenses of first to second or third because I feel you would understand better if you studied that better yourself, and I am not an English major and am afraid of leading the wrong path, but I will do what I know without hesitation. I hope this helps you out with whatever you are doing.
Penny

sebayanpendam

Health is indisputably(eminently) important to all of us (most individual instead of "all of us" using "all of us" is considered wordy). Good health enables us(people) to carry out our(their) daily routine with a positive view of life. There are many ways we can do to keep good health(a number of ways to keep in good health).

First, we should practise(practice) good eating habits and do not overeat.(take out and do not over eat, instead write something like: First, we should practice good eating habits, such as eating in moderation/ or watching our food intake) We must drink lots of water so that we will not get exhaustion easily(here is an idea:Second, drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration and early exhaustion) Drinking water does not mean we need to drink eight glasses a day.(remove the period, add a semicolon ;) It depends on how much we need to spend our energy on things that we do. Besides, it is advisable to drink fruit and vegetable juices.(remove the period, add a semicolon ;) These juices provide essential nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. As a result, our immune systems will strengthen too(remove too) and our bodies can resist many diseases.

Another way to (suggestion: remove "Another way to" and replace with: Third,)maintain our healthy bodies is exercise regularly. Exercise is very important to keep us fit. Aside from burning off fat, exercise helps make(remove make) our blood circulation (circulate)better. (This small paragraph is completely out of place, you are jumping from eating and drinking, to exercise then back to eating and drinking. Move this paragraph under your paragraph about smoking because it fits nicely with your last sentences.)

There are things that we must avoid when it comes to food. Do not take food that have(suggestion: ...when it comes to food. Try not to ingest a lot of food that is high in...) high fat, sugar and salt content such as fried chicken, junk food, carbonated (adding the word beverages will make more sense here). Taking too (Ingesting too)much of unhealthy food can lead to diseases like(such as) heart disease and diabetes. (add this paragraph just after the final sentence of your second paragraph: As a result, our immune systems will become stronger and our bodies can resist many diseases)

(suggestion: Finally, avoid...)Avoid smoking because it contains nothing but harmful nicotine.(remove nothing but harmul nicotine, in this place put something like: because it contains over a hundred harmful chemicals) This property(habit) can destroy our lungs and even worse causes(remove the 's') cancer. Not only, smoking produces bad effects to smokers, but also harms non-smokers who are near them. (suggestion: ...cancer; smoking is also nearly as harmful to non-smokers through second hand smoke because the non-smokers catch half of the chemicals and also produce negative results to the non-smoker's body)

Healthy people can have longer lives and are more energetic (suggestion: Healthy people can live longer, more energetic lives). If we(you) really love ourselves(yourself), we should start change our eating habits and take exercise right now before it is too late. (then watch your habits for any need of change and begin living health today!) (suggestion, a quote about living healthy by anyone famous, try this google search http://www.google.com/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS288&q=famous+health+quotes

Thanks

Past and Present Tenses

GoldenQN — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 04:29:45 GMT

I have a problem with often switching tenses in paragraphs. Is this allow? Here's an example of a passage below. Would this passage be considered incorrect?

"Founded on the early years of his life, he realized the possibilities and opportunities are available for anybody to rise from poverty. This shaped his perspective of the lower class and developed into hostility against charity and the socialist movement. The lower class in the story is subjected to the authority of the privileged few and kept impoverished and disempowered with the use of fear tactics. The government ignores the suffering of the poor and forces them to survive on their own in the capitalist economy. Without much hope for the poor, members in the Trueba family became sympathetic toward them and devoted their lives to supporting them."

Tracking the mountain lion (Gapped sentences, CAE)

Tanit — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 13:16:58 GMT

This quiz is given by the University of Cambridge as a free sample of Paper 1 (Reading), Part 2 (Gapped Sentences) of the ESOL Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE).

This type of test assesses how well candidates understand the structure of the text and the development of the theme (so pay attention to demonstrative pronouns and adjectives, time references, sequence of verb tenses etc.)

You are going to read an extract from a magazine article. Six paragraphs have been removed from the extract. Choose from the paragraphs A â G the one which fits each gap (1-6). There is one extra paragraph which you do not need to use.

Good luck!

___________________________________

Tracking the mountain lion

Rupert Isaacson joins a volunteer project to protect mountain lions in Idaho, USA.

[test]
After two hours of trudging up the mountainside through deep snowdrifts, the dogs began to bark. There, in our path, was what weâd been looking for: the paw print of a mountain lion. It belonged to a female that had recently passed by. Kevin and Ken, the houndsmen, consulted briefly with John, the biologist, while the four hounds whimpered with excitement, straining at their leads, eager to begin the chase.
1 "D|A|B|C|E|F|G"
I carried one of the two rifles, followed by a pilot lugging measuring instruments, and a doctor and a postman struggling with cameras and radio antennae. Six others puffed and panted their way behind us, all of them â like me â professional cityfolk unused to such strenuous exertion.
2 "F|A|B|C|D|E|G"
When we finally caught up with the dogs they were bunched up at a rock, behind which an angry female mountain lion snarled and spat, swiping with its claws. We kept back, ready to run if it made a bid for freedom, while John crept down the mountain behind it. Having approached the lion quietly from below, he took his rifle from his bag, loaded it, took aim and shot.
3 "A|B|C|D|E|F|G"
We moved in, briskly efficient, photographing, measuring and weighing as John had taught us. Having changed the battery in its radio-collar, we brought the silken-coated creature round with an injection. Snarling and unsteady, it slunk away into cover and we began the long trek down the mountain.
4 "C|A|B|D|E|F|G"
However, our initial prejudices soon faded, as we realised the pair had more in common with us than weâd thought, and as the skill and dedication which they put into the project became apparent. This was most noticeable the next day, when our task was to provide a mother and cubs with new batteries in their collars. As we reached the point in the canyon where the pines grew thickest, suddenly a large male lion went streaking across the snowy plain. Ken and Kevin set off through the sagebrush.
5 "G|B|A|C|D|E|F"
While this was happening, Ken and Kevin crept up behind and tried to drop a pitifully small lasso â made from the dogsâ leads â over the lionâs head. Sensing their presence, the animal whirled around, slashing with its claws. I went in with the hounds again, and a surreal dance developed.
6 "B|A|C|D|E|F|G"
Of course it wasnât always so dramatic â many of our days in the mountains were quite mundane. But for me, the best thing about the trip was watching hunters and environmentalists sharing an adventure and putting money and energy into conservation, all the while showing that really they are two sides of the same coin.[/test]

_____________________________________________

HERE ARE THE PARAGRAPHS YOU CAN CHOOSE FROM:

A The dart hit the lioness in the back of the leg. It flinched, growled and then turned sleepily back to the hounds. Like a tiring boxer, its slashing movements became slower and slower until it slumped into the snow, unconscious.

B Finally, on the fifth or sixth try, the houndsmen managed to drop the restraint over the lionâs head and tie it around a sagebrush trunk. Quickly and efficiently they did the same with one of its hind legs, then I helped them to sit on the protesting lion until John arrived with the tranquilliser.

C On the way, John told me he had recruited Ken and Kevin, two hunters, to assist in the lion study because of their local knowledge. At first my fellow volunteers felt uncomfortable with this. How could these men kill animals one day, then try to protect them the next?

D The men exchanged nods, then bent down to set the animals loose. And with a whoop, they were off, bounding through the snow, leaving the rest of us to lumber after them, each laden with his allotted encumbrance.

E Kevin barely had time to reply before the lion reached out a massive paw and swiped at the rifle. With impressive speed, John seized his own rifle, and â what seemed like a split-second later â the creature lay motionless on the ground, a tranquilliser dart in its tawny side.

F This motley crew formed the ten-strong paying volunteer group taking part in a University of Idaho study into the effect of habitat fragmentation on wildlife. Our task was to radio-collar mountain lions and gather data on their feeding habits, with the ultimate aim of persuading state authorities to curb urban growth and adopt more wildlife-friendly forestry practices.

G They sprinted effortlessly over the rocky ground, while I stumbled along in their wake. After five kilometres we spotted the lion. âQuick,â said Ken, thrusting the houndsâ collars into my hand. âYou distract it for a moment.â Scarcely able to believe what I was doing, I found myself letting the straining dogs lunge at the lion just enough to make it come at us, then jumping back in time to avoid its claws.

Learning To Write

Ziggy01 — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 03:08:27 GMT

Hi,

I am learning to write basic things and would appreciate any input that anyone would be kind enough to share. I am taking adult english classes and have written a "process paragraph" but am unsure of how well it would be received. I am very concerned with how the topic sentence relates to the whole paragraph as well as how well the paragraph itself is written. It is a gr.12 equivalent just so you know.

Thanks. Here is the paragraph:

Mastering the basics of chi kung meditation will equip the beginner with

the knowledge of their body and mental discipline that they will need before

moving on to more advanced techniques. Start out by finding a quiet place where you know

you will not be disturbed. Sitting cross-legged on the floor; breathe at a normal pace

and allow any thoughts swim into your mind to fall away. Allow yourself several

minutes to relax and forget about everything in your day so that your mind is left blank

and relaxed. The meditation begins with a deep five second inhalation through the nose.

Start this breath by pushing out your lower abdomen in order to expand your

diaphragm and let the bottom of your lungs fill with air. As you feel your stomach stretching to it's

limit begin to expand your chest to continue filling your lungs to their limit. Once a full breath has

been achieved allow the air to slowly leak out of the mouth over a ten second

count. Let your chest to deflate naturally and then slowly contract your abdomen to ensure no air is left in your

lungs. At the end of the exhalation it should feel as though you are forcing every last bit of air with

your abdomen. Then, with a tight stomach and empty of air, deny your body oxygen by refraining to

inhale for five seconds. Ignore the panic that floods your mind and at the end of the five seconds

restart the breathing from the beginning. Circling through this process for twenty minutes will teach

the student to understand their body on a deeper level, and develop the intense mental focus that

will be essential for more advanced techniques as well as aid them in their day to day life.

Re: I am having trouble with the tenses in my essay. Any proof reading help would be appreciated or revisions.

Bushee — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:12:40 GMT

You had too many spaces between Leet and ","
My grandmother, Julie Lovins, put everything on the line for her job, including her life. She worked for the Leet Psychiatric Clinic in Lexington, Kentucky, and flew to various locations with Dr. Leet, a psychiatrist, to help patients. Dr. Leet had a contract with the United Mine Workers Psychiatric clinic and needed to check up on patients in many locations. To get to these locations, Dr. Leet flew my grandmother on a small plane. As a traveling social worker, Lovins experienced one devastating plane ride to the Mine Workers Psychiatric Clinic. Little did she know, her brush with death would inspire a disabled mine worker to live his life with a purpose.

You have a few present tenses that would work better with past tenses in the next paragraphs.

Arriving at the clinic, Dr. Leet was rushed to the Emergency Room. As Ms. Lovins started to regain consciousness, she checked up on Dr. Leet. âHe is going to be fine. Itâs amazing he survived with only a broken arm,â said a nurse. Relieved and uninjured, Ms. Lovins remembered what she had come to the clinic to do. âIâm on a mission to help the disabled miners who are suffering,â thought Ms. Lovins. As Ms. Lovins is about to step onto an elevator to the third floor, where the minerâs rooms are located, she noticed a man with a pained expression. Approaching the man, she saw his mangled leg, and smelled the scent of someone about to give up on life. Noticing a photo of his family in his hand, Ms. Lovins asks him about them. The crippled man replies, âThis is my family, but Iâm ashamed that they will not like me anymore because Iâm useless now.â

Not willing to accept this answer, Ms. Lovins told the crippled miner that everyone lives for a purpose. âI put my life on the line today to help save others. Somehow, I survived and have come here to fulfill my purpose for living,â said Ms. Lovins. With a new outlook on life, the crippled miner shot Ms. Lovins a gleaming smile. âYou know what, you are right! My life has a purpose and I still have time to live it,â exclaimed the miner. The miner rushed to his room and called his family. After speaking to his family, the miner once again approaches Ms. Lovins. âI just wantedâ¦wanted you to know that your brush with death todayâ¦. well, has given me the courage to reunite with my family, and to use my experience as a motivation for others.â

I hope I was helpful, Bushee.

Re: I am having trouble with the tenses in my essay. Any proof reading help would be appreciated or revisions.

Bushee — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:50:07 GMT

I must admit I couldn't find much at all for errors in your essay, while I did take four years of English in college I don't consider myself a professional. Although this is what I found, you had too many spaces in the first paragraph. and a few present tense's in the fifth paragraph, Hope I helped. Bushee

Life on the Line

           â â¬My grandmother,â â¬Julie Lovins,â â¬put everything on the line for her job,â â¬including her life. â â¬   She worked for the Leet Psychiatric Clinic in Lexington,â â¬Kentucky,â â¬and flew to various locations with Dr.â â¬Leet,â â¬a psychiatrist,â â¬to help patients. â â¬Dr.â â¬Leet had a contract with the United Mine Workers Psychiatric clinic and needed to check up on patients in many locations.  â â¬To get to these locations,â â¬Dr.â â¬Leet flew my grandmother on a small plane. â â¬As a traveling social worker,â â¬Lovins experienced one devastating plane ride to the Mine Workers Psychiatric Clinic. â â¬Little did she know,â â¬her brush with death would inspire a disabled mine worker to live his life with a purpose.

           â â¬The spring night,â â¬inâ â¬1960,â â¬was foggy,â â¬and conditions were getting worse. â â¬All of a sudden,â â¬the plane started to wobble,â â¬and gusts of wind came hurling from the east. â â¬Swaying side to side like a ship,â â¬the plane was off balance. â â¬Stooping lower,â â¬the plane dropped. â â¬Dr.â â¬Leet grasped the gasoline tank switch,â â¬but could not get it to connect to the auxiliary tank. â â¬He pumped the gismo,â â¬and gas started running smoothly again. â â¬The plane was back on track to Middlesboro,â â¬or was thought to be.

           â â¬When everything seemed to be alright,â â¬matters got worse. â â¬Beep beep. â â¬The radio station reported,â ââ¬Middlesboro airport is closed due to fierce cross currents.âââ¬ â ââ¬We are going to have to land somewhere soon before we run out of gas,ââ â¬said Julie Lovins. â â¬With this in mind,â â¬Dr.â â¬Leet spotted a farmerâs field in which he could land. â â¬Ms.â â¬Lovins couldnât stop thinking about getting to her destination,â â¬the Psychiatric Clinic,â â¬where she could help all the patients live better lives.â â¬She was the best known social worker in Kentucky,â â¬known to have an outstanding influence on mentally depressed patients.â â¬ Thud,â â¬screechâ!â¬ â â¬The plane hit telephone wires,â â¬flipped over and then landed in the farmerâs field.  â â¬Thirty minutes later,â â¬a rescue plane came zooming overhead and landed next to the wreckage. â â¬EMS doctors rushed over to the small plane which had imprisoned Ms.â â¬Lovins and Dr.â â¬Leet.

           â â¬Both Ms.â â¬Lovins and Dr.â â¬Leet were unconscious. â â¬One of the EMS doctors vigorously tore open a packet of smelling salt,â â¬and put it under Ms.â â¬Lovinâs nose. â â¬Still in a daze,â â¬Ms.â â¬Lovins began to wake up.â â¬The doctor carried her to his plane and ran back over to Dr.â â¬Leet. â ââ¬I think this one is going to need to go to the critical care unit ASAP,ââ â¬said one of the accompanying rescuers. â â¬Opening a stretcher,â â¬the EMS doctor rushed over to Dr.â â¬Leet.â ââ¬One,â â¬two,â â¬three,â â¬go,ââ â¬said all the rescuers while lifting Dr.â â¬Leet onto the stretcher. â â¬Frantically,â â¬the squad carried Dr.â â¬Leet onto the plane and off to the clinic they went.

           â â¬Arriving at the clinic,â â¬Dr.â â¬Leet was rushed to the Emergency Room. â â¬As Ms.â â¬Lovins started to regain consciousness,â â¬she checked up on Dr.â â¬Leet. â ââ¬He is going to be fine. â â¬Itâs amazing he survived with only a broken arm,ââ â¬said a nurse.â â¬ Relieved and uninjured,â â¬Ms.â â¬Lovinsâ â¬remembered what she had come to the clinic to do. â ââ¬Iâm on a mission to help the disabled miners who are suffering,ââ â¬thought Ms.â â¬Lovins. â â¬As Ms.â â¬Lovins is about to step onto an elevator to the third floor,â â¬where the minerâs rooms are located,â â¬she noticed a man with a pained expression. â â¬Approaching the man,â â¬she sees his mangled leg,â â¬and smells the scent of someone about to give up on life. â â¬Noticing a photo of his family in his hand,â â¬Ms.â â¬Lovins asked him about them. â â¬The crippled man replied,â ââ¬This is my family,â â¬but Iâm ashamed that they will not like me anymore because Iâm useless now.âââ¬ â

           â â¬Not willing to accept this answer,â â¬Ms.â â¬Lovins tells the crippled miner that everyone lives for a purpose. â ââ¬I put my life on the line today to help save others. â â¬Somehow,â â¬I survived and have come here to fulfill my purpose for living,ââ â¬said Ms.â â¬Lovins. â â¬With a new outlook on life,â â¬the crippled miner shot Ms.â â¬Lovins a gleaming smile. â ââ¬You know what,â â¬you are rightâ!â¬ â â¬My life has a purpose and I still have time to live it,ââ â¬exclaimed the miner. â â¬The miner rushes to his room and calls his family. â â¬After speaking to his family,â â¬the miner once again approaches Ms.â â¬Lovins. â ââ¬I just wantedâ¦wanted you to know that your brush with death todayââ¦â¬.â â¬well,â â¬has given me the courage to reunite with my family,â â¬and to use my experience as a motivation for others.ââ

           â â¬Julie Lovins was willing to do her job no matter what disaster might come along with it. â â¬She almost came face to face with death,â â¬but it did not faze her. â â¬Using what she learned from her experience on the plane ride,â â¬she was able to encourage and reunite the family of a mine worker. â â¬Lovins never regretted putting her life on the line for others.

Re: tense checking

Anonymous — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 02:39:27 GMT

Thank you so much.

How would you divide this type of writing (diary or reflection piece?) into paragraphs, especially when the content of a possible paragraph is two or thre sentences long?

You asked:

I am starting to work on my two-month project on ~~today~~ this afternoon;, and when my nephew gets here, I will probably have finished half the project.Tenses are okay. You can finish half of a two-month project in one day?

I think the probable date I noted for his visit is one month from the day of writing and I think I also have noted that the probable period of completion will last two months. What made you think the writing gives out an idea that I will try to finish the project in one day?

You changed the tense of the last sentence to present perfect; (semicolon OK?) but I don't think a past is wrong but a present tense is better because the choice made is current and currently related.

Last sentence that you made a change:

Yes, I have made the choice and that is to finish the project on time.

Re: tense checking

Grammar Geek — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 02:04:10 GMT

Hello Anonymous,

Usually, a paragraph has related sentences. These are very random.

Today is *** 16th. Tomorrow is *** 17th.Okay, but "Today it is is August 25th, and tomorrow it will be the 26th" is a more common way to say this.

If I sleep one more day, I will be meeting my nephew who will be visiting us from the Phillipines.Very odd. Tomorrow, I will get to see my nephew, who will be visiting...

He has been studying there for two years now and he is coming for a month vacation.Okay in tense. A month's vacation or a month-long vacation.

I will probably have to spend some time with my nephew during his two-month vacation and that will likely delay my completion of the project -- how long a delay, I couldn't guess now -- and I should think about which is more important: spending time with my nephew or completing my project on time.This is fine - and very complicated. Good job on this one.

Hhew ??, this is going to be a difficult choice. But come to think of it, it's easy -- you can use a colon here too if I don't complete my project on time, I will not pass the course and that could have a drastic effect on my plan to go to the prestigious *** University; on the other hand, I will probably have many chances see my nephew and go out with him over the years ahead.Okay.

Yes, I have made the choice and that is to finish the project on time.

chossing correct tense/tense consistency

MaxMaximus — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:08:59 GMT

Greetings,

I have a pretty big favour to ask.

I've been struggling with this topic for quite awhile now.It goes without saying that my English "leaves something to be desired".

Having in mind the subtle differences that occur from using particular tenses, I have often wondered how the authors of following exercises expect anyone to choose the correct form, without providing sound and unambiguous references.

I've uploaded 2 exercises that I stumbled upon :

1. http://rapidshare.com/files/138835945/HP.txt.html
and
2.http://rapidshare.com/files/138835946/redundancy.txt.html

I have converted them into .txt files to ease moderators' job.

They present the essence of my inability to comprehend and do right.

First text:
1. First sentence, adverb "always" stands before the verb (author did not bother to put it in the brackets (always/be)). If she is dead (we don't know that until we have finished reading) or if she is not "a fighter" anymore (we are clueless about that either), - we could use Past Simple. Of course, Present Perfect is more likely choice, but the position of adverb puzzles.

2."But, prior to..." - Past Continuous or Past Perfect?

3.The sentence : "it (be)__ slow to notice..".I'm not sure whether Past Simple or Past Perfect should be used here.There is no strong reference whether this "slow noticing" occurred prior to her arrival or about the time when she came on board.

4."Those three years are not over..". The starting point is present time, but, that has nothing to do with the moment when she realized how things stand, which I know nothing about.Even the Present Simple is possible if she keeps realizing everyday that things are harder than she expected.For the rest of the paragraph I'm not certain whether Present Perfect should be used.

5."Above all,.." - from Present Simple (finds, is trying, is going to embark)...to Present Perfect (has found, has tried/has been trying, has embarked)...The tenses chosen in these sentences determine the tenses of the last paragraph in the text.

Second text:
1. First sentence: we could use Future Simple as well as Present Simple for the verb "have to"?

2. "Although no business or industry..". If there was a recent survey - do interviewed subjects still claim what they have said - or the use of Past Tense is obligatory? The word "any" is used in interrogative or negative sentences - but here, no question is being asked nor it is possible to be negative. Instead, "some" should have been used, I think.

3. "Those who have..." - Present Continuous or Present Simple? Former is more likely choice although the latter is possible also.

4. "In the past.." - as far as I know this presents the "indefinite moment in time". The Present Perfect could be used - but the position of adverb "always" confuses, again.

I would be more than grateful to anyone who can shed some light on these issues.
If I could reach to any other decent credible source I wouldn't ask for help in this way.

Thanks in advance,
Georgie.