Search results for 'tag:Tenses' matching tag 'Tenses'

Re: Should vs if

dokterjokkebrok — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:19:30 GMT

Hi Both if-clause constructions in sentence #1 and #2 are possible I think. The first sentence is a regular if-clause. The second one starts with a modal verb, which comes from the full construction 'If there should be any...'. That's OK, but they don't have similar same meanings. Should stresses the fact that the condition stated after it is less likely to happen than the condition/situation after 'if' in the first sentence. So by using 'should' here, you modify the sense of probability/likelihood. I think there's another problem, however. Because you use a present tense finite verb, 'become', in the first sentence I think your second finite verb, which is 'would', ought to be...

Re: To make / have made it

avangi — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:53:34 GMT

"Wether the release of al-Megrahi was right or wrong, Scots are standing up for the freedom to have made it ." In my opinion, the structure and verb tense are fine, but the choice of verb is incorrect. Or you could say, "w h ether the decision to release etc." You make a decision ; you don't make a release . "Whether the release etc. . . . . . to have done it." Why isn't "to make it"? You're talking about a specific past event. Use the perfect infinitive. Use the present infinitive for generic acts: ". . . for the freedom to make such a decision." ". . . for the freedom to perform such an action." We did it. We defend the right to do it. ...

Re: Is this correct?

califjim — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 03:36:25 GMT

Wouldn't it be more suitable to use Past Continuous? After while , you mean? Well, that's probably the most expected tense after while , but in English the simple past can take on the same connotations. The while almost forces the verb to be taken in the continuous aspect whether it is stated that way or not. So you also see the simple past after while quite a lot, for example, in the very famous Nero fiddled while Rome burned . If you are in doubt when writing your own sentences, use the past continuous, but recognize that the past simple is usually just as good. CJ

Re: Object clause

califjim — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:38:51 GMT

I believe only one sentence of the two is grammarly grammatically correct. Both are correct. You can use either one, and they both have the same meaning. I would use the one with the present tense in a situation where I wanted to give the impression that I was just repeating what was said as a way of passing that information along to someone who wanted to know. This form is especially frequent when the amount of time is quite short between hearing it said and repeating it. Monday: A: I want to study medicine. Wednesday: B: I saw you talking to A a couple of days ago. Has he decided what he wants to study? C: Yes. He told me he wants to study medicine. C could have said He told me he wanted to study medicine. It means the same...

Re: Infinitive without 'to'

califjim — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:59:29 GMT

I saw the plane crash or crashing into the mountain.( why it cannot be 'crashed') That's just the way English works with verbs of perception like see (and certain other verbs as well). The infinitive crash will be assumed to be in the past because the main verb ( saw ) is in the past. Likewise with the present: I see my neighbor pass by my house every day. Here pass is not assumed to be in the past, but in the present, because the main verb ( see ) is in the present. The two verbs together are taken almost as one verb: to see ... crash; to see ... pass by; to see ... post; to see ... drop; to hear ... knock ; etc. Only the first verb shows tense. Here are some examples with other verbs of perception: He felt the spider...

My TAKE AWAY from reading a book

akdom — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:27:17 GMT

Anyway, my take away from reading about verb tense in novels and from talking with Seth Harwood is that some people think writing in the present tense is modern and other people think it is trendy and annoying. Is take away an idiom? I couldn't find this term in my dictionaries online. The only thing I found is that British ppl use it as 'takeout foods.' Would you explain to me that if the above usage is correct? normal? popular?

Re: Past tense and past perfect

califjim — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:08:14 GMT

Example: I learned more today than I did all week. (OR) I learned more today than I had all week. Are both sentences correct? Since 'learned' is past tense, would it be accurate to use 'had' because it is past perfect? The sentence suggests that today is the last in a series of seven days. That means there is no separation in time between the progression of the days of the week and the current day. But had implies a separation -- a going back to a time previous to the span of time on which the sentence focuses. The two contradict. I find had a bit anomalous for this reason. A more appropriate use of had , in my opinion, is the following, where there is a clearer separation in time: I learned more today than I had...

Re: Past tense and past perfect

yankee — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:55:05 GMT

Hi Anon Although "had" is possible, I think I'd prefer "did". I don't think anyone would interpret a real difference in terms of meaning. By the way, you could also use "have" (rather than "did" or "had") if you were viewing "today" as being finished, but the week were not yet over.

Re: Tense

clive — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:01:03 GMT

Hi, tense of ment me a nt is the Simple Past and Past Participle of the irregular verb 'mean'. Clive

Re: "The recent ten years are seeing a big rise in small businesses"

meowth — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:47:29 GMT

Thank you very much, Doctor D. And what is your opinion on "are seeing" itself? Is it correct to say like that at all? I have always thought that "to see" is one of the least likely verbs to be used in continuous tense. Am I right here? This haunts me too much because if it's correct it would be a revolution in my study of English, since I have been always taught the opposite. Thank you in advance.

Use of present tense

debpriya de — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:38:21 GMT

Why do we say " What do we do now ?" when we actually mean "What should we do now ?" or " Where do we go now ?" when we actually mean "Where should we go now ?"

Re: Reported questions

cool breeze — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:54:23 GMT

No. Used to is possible only in the past tense. CB

Re: A question on indirect speech.

gleb_chebrikoff — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:04:12 GMT

Icadia, I understood the focus of your question; therefore, I mentioned that 'if the indirect speech itself contains a subordinate clause (introduced by until... in your case), then the verb of that subordinate clause may be in the present tense because of the current validity even though both the main verb of the sentence and the superordinate verb are in the past: John said that it is against the law in our state for her to drive until she has been seizure-free for six months. ' ... until the rain has stopped should be transformed into ... until the rain had stopped in indirect speech, no doubt about that. It is highly improbable that the rain hasn't yet stopped at the time of reporting Mark's words, so no...

Re: A question on indirect speech.

icadia — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:39:08 GMT

Thanks!! I appreciate your replies. Yes. you are right. I think the legislation about driving is still effective, so the tenses don't need to be changed, which means his comment is still relevant. I posted a contradictory question. If his comment had been made more than a years ago, or the legislation wasn't effective anymore at present, Indirect speech would be "it was against the law in our state for her to drive until she had been seizure-free for six months." Am I understanding right? To say frankly, What I really wanted to know is the tense after "Until" Mark : I am going to wait here until the rain has stopped. Indirect speech : He said he was going to wait there until the rain had stopped. ...

Re: A question on indirect speech.

gleb_chebrikoff — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:58:40 GMT

Greetings, Icadia, Direct speech: It's against the law in our state for her to drive until she has been seizure-free for six months. Indirect speech: 1. The provisions of the legislation have probably not changed by the time of reporting John's words, so there is no need to change is into was ; 2. If the indirect speech itself contains a subordinate clause (introduced by until... in your case), then the verb of that subordinate clause may be in the present tense because of the current validity even though both the main verb of the sentence and the superordinate verb are in the past: John said that it is against the law in our state for her to drive until she has been seizure-free for six months. (Please note that...

A question on indirect speech.

icadia — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:21:47 GMT

A weeks ago. John made a comment below. John's comment: "it's against the law in our state for her to drive until she has been seizure-free for six months." Now. I am reporting what he said, Let's consider his comment isn't relevant anymore, so I will use the past tense of "Say". John said that It was against the law in our state for her to drive until she __ seizure-free for six months. I am really wondering which tense is good for the blank Could anyone answer for me?

Re: Use of may

clive — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:07:42 GMT

Hi, can we use 'may' in simple present tense EX "he may walk every day " Yes. Depending on the context, you may either be describing a possibility or giving permission. Best wishes, Clive

Use of may

fahathpk — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:56:46 GMT

can we use 'may' in simple present tense EX "he may walk every day"

Re: With his left hand/With the left hand

philip — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:35:41 GMT

My example was in the past tense . On the other hand, the above examples are in the present tense . Can I understand that "He tosses the ball with the left hand." is acceptable if he is left-handed? Tense would not make a difference.

Re: Posing question(do we pose question in present or past tense)

avangi — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:51:26 GMT

Hi, franklin, "Have you won a soul?" is correct. "You have won" is present perfect tense, and uses the past participle of the verb. "You win" is simple present tense. The form changes for 3rd person singular: "He wins." With the present perfect, the participle stays the same, and the "have" changes: "He has won." Welcome to English Forums. Thanks for joining us! Best wishes, - A.

Posing question(do we pose question in present or past tense)

franklin agyeman — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:47:43 GMT

have you won a soul? or have you win a soul? which of the two is grammatically correct.

Re: Correct tense for reported speech?

mister micawber — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:13:10 GMT

I'd say Yes, Yes, Yes, and Not necessarily.

Re: With his left hand/With the left hand

snappy — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:47:22 GMT

Thank you everyone for your advice. I found the following description in Longman's Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language. "She throws the ball with her left hand ?with her left hand One factor which could make acceptable, and indeed normal, is the interpretation 'she is left-handed'. Similarly: She kicks the ball with the left foot (because she is left-footed). With such an interpretation, the is normal, but the rule is not absolute." My example was in the past tense . On the other hand, the above examples are in the present tense . Can I understand that "He tosses the ball with the left hand." is acceptable if he is left-handed?

Re: Ran or run

cool breeze — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:48:07 GMT

Neither sentence is correct. Not is in the wrong place. I should not have r u n is right. Should is a defective auxiliary and thus an infinitive must be used after it. There are two infinitives in the active voice and another two in the passive. They are called (at least in this part of the world) the present infinitive and the perfect infinitive. The perfect infinitive usually refers to the past, to things that have already accurred. It is formed by adding a past participle after have: have seen, have gone, have needed, have run The past participle of run is run, not ran, which is the past tense: He ran away. CB

Passive voice question

clifton horrell — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:59:29 GMT

does anyone know anything about passive voice? i just have a quick question if anyone knows it... I can’t figure out how to switch active voice to passive, without changing the tense. For example, present simple tense, “paints” is active, and “is painted” is passive. In past simple, “painted” is active, and “was painted” is passive. In both of these cases, the tense remains the same. What about present continuous (active) “is painting”, what would be the passive? or for example Past continuous (active) “was painting”, what would be passive? Present perfect (active) “has painted”, passive? and how do figure out how to do it myself? even when i'm looking at the answer, im not sure i understand this principle...

Re: Would verb + verb in past tense

califjim — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:27:26 GMT

pra c tice, not pra s tice. Don't start a sentence with a number. Spell it out. Three years ago, when ... The context set up by this sentence is one of a habit in the past. Either form of the verb can communicate that, so both are fine. Personally, I prefer the first, but that's just my preference. CJ

Re: My question about stress and pressure again

avangi — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:08:52 GMT

1.What does 'He's wound up tighter than a drum' mean? It's a mixed metaphor/simile for tension, but it used to be quite popular. The coil springs which powered old fashioned toys were wound up with a key. We used to wind our watches. But we would take care not to wind them too tight. The plastic or rawhide "heads" of most (musical) drums are "tuned," so to speak, by stretching them tighter and tighter over the frame of the drum until the sound (when struck) meets with our approval. Orchestral "kettle drums" produce an actual pitch, which may be tuned in the same manner as a guitar string, by increasing or decreasing its tension. Both instruments make use of a key-like screw-type device, for...

Would verb + verb in past tense

uktous — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:28:32 GMT

Hi, Any different (in term of meaning and grammar) between, eg, "would prastice" and "prasticed"? Could you please explain my question based on my following 2 sentences? Finally, which sentence is more appropriate? Sentence1: 3 years ago, when I was a teacher, in each lesson my students would prastice the questions on an exercise sheet and I would help them with their problem. Sentence2: 3 years ago, when I was a teacher, in each lesson my students prasticed the questions on an exercise sheet and I helped them with their problem. Thanks.

Re: Lost/loss what do I use and how? Thanks

yankee — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:38:29 GMT

Lakers lost the game today. Or Lakers loss the game today. Hi Anon You need a verb in your sentence, and " lost " is the past tense of the verb "lose". The word "loss" is a noun, so you cannot use that in your sentence.

Re: Use of the word "hung"

dimsumexpress — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:09:05 GMT

This is a common confusion even among natives. This link may help clear some of the confusion. http://www.englishrules.com/writing/2005/hanged-or-hung.php Pictures can be hung, but people are always hanged. It's an odd quirk of the English language. Here is a usage note on the word "hang" from the American Heritage Dictionary: Hanged , as a past tense and a past participle of hang , is used in the sense of "to put to death by hanging," as in Frontier courts hanged many a prisoner after a summary trial . A majority of the Usage Panel objects to hung used in this sense. In all other senses of the word, hung is the preferred form as past tense and past participle, as in I hung my child's picture...

Re: ING or infinitive???

califjim — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:35:50 GMT

I have doubts about which verb tense should I I should use in these situations: ... Why should I use the -ing form in the first case and the infinitive in the second case? By doing so, you are merely following the usual conventions of English. It is not very usual to begin a sentence with an infinitive. The first sentence is actually rather awkward, though, even with the gerunds, and most people use only the second pattern to express that sort of idea. The second is much more idiomatic. It's such a comma formula, you may as well just memorize: All I did was ... All he did was ... All she did was ... All we did was ... All they did was ... CJ

ING or infinitive???

guevara — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:19:31 GMT

I have doubts about which verb tense should I use in these situations: 1) Wandering around the shops or sitting in bars was all we did all week. 2) All we did all week was wander around or sit in bars. Why should I use the -ing form in the first case and the infinitive in the second case? Thanks folks!

Re: Tenses

philip — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:34:44 GMT

No, the present perfect would be he has walked or he has driven . He used to indicates habitual action in the past that no longer occurs.

Re: Future Tenses

mister micawber — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:06:31 GMT

This one is wrong: 16. Catherine's going to fly to US yet again this year. PRESENT CONT. WITH A FUTURE MEANING

Future Tenses

yaggy74 — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:00:14 GMT

Hi I just wondered if someone would be so kind as to just check my answers make sure I have understood correctly. Many thanks in advance. I have to read the following sentences and decide if they use one of the following 4:- the future with 'going to' future simple 'will', the present continuous with a future meaning or Modal verbs 1. If you don't stop hitting my car, I shall call the police. MODAL VERB 2. Chloe is going swimming this morning. PRESENT CONTINUOUS WITH A FUTURE MEANING 3. I'm going to treat myself to som chocolate today. FUTURE WITH (GOING TO) 4. Are you watching a movie tonight? PRESENT CONTINUOUS WITH A FUTURE MEANING 5. Shall we see Gladiator or...

Re: Hello

mister micawber — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:47:56 GMT

When 'might' is not used as the past of 'may' in reported speech and similar tense regressions, there is no difference. In particular, there is no difference in probability.

Re: Can/could

old man gordon — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:20:49 GMT

I like this question. It's really about nuance and subtle differences. In a very basic way, you can say that 'can' is stronger, based on actual facts. Could is based on opinion and theory. By definition, can is referring to the actual ability. When I say this, it means it is possible for me to do something (either because of my ability or circumstances). Could is the past tense of can, but in your sentence it is not a past tense verb. It is in the subjunctive mood. This means it is hypothetical, not actual. In your example, if someone makes a suggestion, and you respond "I could do that.", it means that it is a good suggestion. There may be some reason that you will not actually do it. ...

Can/could

pleasehelp — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:30:44 GMT

I can do that too. I could do that too. What the difference? Is could the past tense of can?

Re: Newspaper article

cool breeze — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:47:03 GMT

I cannot understand how a town hall can be broadcast/broadcasted. Was is the past tense in your "sentence". Both broadcast and broadcasted are correct as past participles. CB

Newspaper article

pleasehelp — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:43:06 GMT

Obama's town hall was not broadcast live across China on television.. Should it be broadcasted? Since it's past tense.

Re: Sharing/shared

ant_222 — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:51:34 GMT

Wowenglish, The difference is only tense-wise: Past Continuous versus Past Simple. Since having one job of another is more of a state than an action, I'd recommend using the Past Simple tense (shared a job). Anton

Re: The use of 'did' in inversion questions and question-word questions

cool breeze — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:33:27 GMT

Do/does/did is not used in questions 1. with forms of to be : Is he happy? Were they swimming? 2. with perfect and past perfect auxiliaries : Have you seen him? Had it already begun? 3. sometimes with have/has/had when the verb is in the presnt tense, in other words, the finite verb: Have you money? This usage seems to be slowly disappearing and is seldom used these days, especially in AmE. It's far more common to say: Have you got money? / Do you have money? If have does not mean "to possess", do/does/did must always be used: Did you have your house painted? Why does he have to go there? 4. If an interrogative pronoun is the subject or a part of the subject of a clause, do/does/did is not used: What...

Re: Tense

alc24 — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:47:45 GMT

Usually you can't use WILL in a WHEN clause. so whenever would be the same thing. I'd say I'll come to your house and find you whenver you're hiding.

Re: BEFORE / Answer phone and aswer the door.

khoff — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:34:58 GMT

I used part tense in 1 and 2 to show that the speaker''s ownership came before the other person's claim.

Re: Passive & Active Voice

tanit — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:29:57 GMT

Hi, I'd change these: 5. The sun was eclipsed by the moon. ACTIVE PASSIVE 9. This bone has been buried by the dog . PASSIVE 10. It takes a long time to think of these examples . PASSIVE ACTIVE 13. There was a cup of coffee on the table but now it's gone. ACTIVE 15. Mark was given one month to write this book . ACTIVE PASSIVE As far as your #14 is concerned, I am not sure everybody would agree on this. 14. I was born under a wandering star I was taught that this is technically a passive form, but some regard it as active (Cambridge dictionary lists the verb " be born "). For instance, here's what some of our most prominent members wrote in the forums. (Opinions are split) Clive ( from this post<

Re: Two questions about tense

yankee — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:56:27 GMT

Hi Sitifan For 1, I would only choose "was". (was stolen = passive = reference to a past act) For 2, I would use "is". We frequently use "broken" as a predicate adjective, and in this case "is broken" refers to a current state. Basically, we don't use "stolen" as a predicate adjective.

Two questions about tense

sitifan — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 11:26:57 GMT

1. Jo hn: Hey, why are you here? What's wrong? Harry: My bike ___ stolen. What shall I do now? John: You can ask the police officer for help. Which word goes into the above blank - is or was ? . 2. Jo hn: Hey, why are you here? What's wrong? Harry: The window ___ broken. What shall I do now? John: You can ask the police officer for help. Which word goes into the above blank - is or was ?

Re: Why do you say class is canceled

califjim — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:58:11 GMT

is Is closed an adjective in the sentence? Yes. There are many cases where you will find "ed" at the end of a word. It does not always mean "past tense". It could be an adjective. Present: The glass is large. Past: The glass was large. Present: The door is closed. Past: The door was closed. CJ

Re: Email account

douglewis — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 04:21:46 GMT

The first is a statement in the present tense meaning I have ceased as of now using the email account. The second is a future tense statement meaning at some time in the near future I will not be using the email account, although the statement would be better if it were qualified by adding an estimate of when. Such as; I will no longer be using this email account as of next week.

Re: Go and been/ never in more than tense

clive — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 01:53:51 GMT

Hi, I more commonly say 'Have you ever been to in Montreal?' Clive