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

Re: same conditional?

CalifJim — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:24:58 GMT

I don't really know exactly why I said "wrong" in one place and "awkward" in another!

Your question in the other thread seemed to focus on mixed conditionals, and I didn't want to leave you with the impression that all mixed conditionals are wrong. Maybe that's why I said "awkward". Here's a better example:

If you had paid attention in Japanese class when you were in college, you would be able to translate for us on our trip to Japan this coming fall.

Perhaps I should revise my opinion on your example below. The problem, I think, is lack of context. This sentence can work in the right context. It's rare for that context to come up, I think, so on first reading it sounds completely wrong as an isolated sentence.

I would be happy if no one had been there.

_______

would like is an entirely different case, because it's an idiom for want. Here the would is not necessarily taken as the would of a conditional pattern, but as a simple present tense. That's why the idiomatic combination would like can go in the if clause.

Take it if you would like to have it = Take it if you want (to have) it.

like, on its own, is somewhat different in meaning from would like.

Take it if you like it. = Take it if it pleases you.

You can use would like with the would of the conditional pattern and like of being pleasing, but that works differently, like this:

If you tried it, you would like it. = If you tried it, it would please you.

Re: Teaching the Present Continuous

ayvied — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:55:46 GMT

when i teach the Present Continuous tense (elemenentary level) I usually ue these easy steps:

1. Introduce/ review the Verb BE, in it's different forms..AM, IS, ARE ( Present Tense)

2. Introduce/revi Personal Pronouns, I , HE, SHE, IT, WE, YOU, THEY.

3. Explain/expound the relationship of these two (the verb BE and the Personal Pronouns) when used in a sentence and give examples;
                I -       AM                       HE, SHE, IT - IS
                YOU   - ARE
                 WE    - ARE
                 THEY - ARE

Example:  HE IS dancing.

4. Introduce/review Verbs...ask for examples e.g   dance,

5.Explain how to from the Present Participle:Participles = VERB+ ING
example : dance+ ing= dancing (explain that the E in danceshould be dropped)

4. Now, you are ready to present your lesson on PRESENT CONTINUOUS: Define
    PRESENT CONTINUOUS = Verb BE + VERB+ ING (present participle)

example: He IS DANCING.

I hope this will help.

Re: HISTORY OF ENGLISH HELP!!!

Cool Breeze — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:55:13 GMT

hazeleyedgirl

What do the following words have in common?
What has happened to them in Modern English?
wilt, hast, thine, art

You all fail! Any fool can tell that the words are old. Of course they are old in an exam based on Old English!

What do the following words have in common? - They are all grammatically restricted to the second person singular; in modern English: you will, you have, yours, [you] are.

What has happened to them in Modern English?

There was no future tense in Old English even though the predecessor of will was sometimes used to indicate future action. Its meaning was "to want, to desire" and will has mostly lost this meaning. It is still present in some contexts, for example when will is used with if: You may come if you will (= if you want to).

So, the meaning of wilt/will has changed and the inflected form is no longer used.

As there was no perfect tense in Old English, hast/have has acquired a new use. In addition to the Old English use, which remains in Modern English, it is now used as a present perfect auxiliary. The perfect tense was developing in Old English and sentences corresponding to modern I have written it were sometimes uttered but the speaker understood the have as a present tense verb and the past perfect written indicated the state in which "it" was. In other words, written was adjectival in character.

Have has acquired lots of new uses since the early days, for example "to have something done": I had my hair cut yesterday.

Thine is related to thou and thee, and all three may occur in archaic texts end religious contexts even today. I think most Americans know the songs A Closer Walk With Thee and How Great Thou Art.

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: In ''I go to school'' present tense is used to describe a routine activity.

Anonymous — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 13:57:29 GMT

Hi,

Can a present activity with a dynamic verb possible? Only present habit/routine? with a dynamic verb possible?

In ''I go to school'' present tense is used to describe a routine activity.

Jackson6612 — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 06:49:42 GMT

In I go to school present tense is used to describe a routine activity. In the sentence I await your reply what kind of function does present tense serve?

Re: Would - Conditional

CalifJim — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 05:16:40 GMT

A. It wouldn't surprise me if John failed the test.

I was wondering if A only applies to the event (test) in the past.

_____

No. It does not apply only to the past. It can apply to the future as well.

The same answer goes for the take/took a picture example.

With a dummy it that represents the following if clause, speakers can be somewhat indifferent about whether the present or past is used. The past tense (with future meaning) is the "correct" form, however, and the present tense more "casual". (Use the past on exams.)

It would(n't) ... if ... [past] / [present more casual]

Would(n't) it ... if ... [past] / [present more casual]

It wouldn't be the end of the world if you [skipped / skip] your medication this one time.

Wouldn't it be funny if he [didn't / doesn't] notice it until it [was / is] too late?

With the present, the following are better.

It won't be the end of the world if you skip your medication this one time.

Won't it be funny if he doesn't notice it until it's too late?

present tense

Anonymous — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 01:19:40 GMT

Hi,

I thought the present tense represents the present-day habits like playing tennis here on a Saturday: Joe routinely or habitually plays tennis every Saturday.

Joe plays tennis every Saturday.

Whereas, a present continous is normally used to indicate what he is doing at the moment.

Joe is playing tennis now.

Can I use this to note that I have attached or am attaching the list in this email? How would you explain this use of the present tense? I think my understading was not comprehensive enough.

Hi,
I attach a list a list of wonderful books with this email. Please find it.

Re: grammar question?

CalifJim — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:19:37 GMT

(1) In 1978, a year or so before The Wall was released, Gilmour filed his first solo project, appropriately titled David Gilmour. While the songs don't approach the sublime heights of his best 1970s work, the album does have enjoyable moments, like the rockin' "Cry from the Street" and the poignant "So Far Away,"one of his best vocal turns.

Should it be didn't? Please clarify. No. It should be don't. When speaking of the contents of an artistic work which is currently available to all for examination use the present tense. It doesn't matter when the work was first created.

The plot of the play, written in 1598, is complex.

The songs, released five years ago, are not very melodic.

(2) Twisted Sister join Metallica for their second European tour which started on June 6 and lasted until June 10th. It was soon after this tour that Metallica had their first meeting with future manager and future record label Chris Burnstein from Q Prime, this happened on August 1, 1984. Metallica let the old manager Jon Zazula go on the August 2.

Should it be "joined" or "joins"? Is go okay? Please check in the above sentence. Twisted Sister is a group, so the notional plural join is used. go is OK. The grammar of let is as follows:

let [object] [base form of verb] Let my people go. We let the boys play until 5:30. Don't let them see us.

(3) This is unfortunate, and almost guarantee that the disagreements and accusations will persist among Jimi and the various factions of the Hendrix family.

Should it guarantees? Yes. But maybe two or more things are mentioned in the preceding text which are being referenced here.

(4) Hendrix returned to New York City for more club gigs. In July he saw Fank Zappa, whose band the Mothers of Invention were playing at an adjacent club.

Should it be was? Again the notional plural is used.

(5) He did this by melting plastic bottles into a ball and then using a soldering iron to make holes for his fingers. He fit his fingers into the plastic was it was still pliable enough to be shaped.

Does the bold phrase make sense? Please rephrase for clarity of thought. Typo. It should be while it was still pliable.

(6) Not since Eddie Van Halen has a guitar player been as influential to the prevailing sound of rock music.

Should it be as? No. a guitar player has (not) been as influential is the normal order. The inversion is required after the initial negative not since....