Questions tagged [past-tense]
This tag is for questions about the usage of the past tense in English.
1,273
questions
-1
votes
1answer
15 views
As he <finished/has finished> his homework, he wants to play [on hold]
Are both correct?
a. As he finished his homework, he wants to play.
b. As he has finished his homework, he wants to play.
1
vote
1answer
34 views
Can we use past simple without giving the exact time?
Can we use past simple without giving the exact time. For example.
'I will tell you how I learned English through self-study.'
0
votes
0answers
9 views
different tenses for almost simultaneous actions and feelings
I saw this sentence:
I have just seen this band and I really enjoyed their show
why past simple for enjoy and not present perfect, is it good English?
Is it because: you can only say that you ...
0
votes
1answer
24 views
What is the correct way to refer to future that is spoken about in the past?
I want to talk about a moment in the future that I though about in the past. Is any of these sentences correct and why?
I thought we might become more than just friends in the far future, when our ...
0
votes
1answer
26 views
Comparing two sentences is the same meaning (Past and Past perfect tense)
"I felt a little better after I had taken the medicine" <--by Google search, it has about 2,820 results
VS
"I felt a little better after I took the medicine" <--by Google search,...
1
vote
2answers
27 views
Particular question about past
He knew that I was trying to tell him the fact that him being
wrong.
He knew that I was trying to tell him the fact which is him being
wrong.
He knew that I was trying to tell him the
fact ...
0
votes
1answer
37 views
In this case are 2 past perfect ok [duplicate]
Yesterday I looked at the record you sent me last week. I saw on the sleeve that you wrote/had written "no payment is necessary for you" but I had paid 50 usd through discogs to get it.
So it would ...
0
votes
1answer
25 views
What is the difference between “introduced”, “had introduced” and “have introduced”?
Although Immanuel Kant, one of the greatest thinkers in the history of philosophy, --- many pieces of technical terminology to articulate the themes of his critical philosophy, perhaps none --- more ...
1
vote
2answers
56 views
Did I answer or Have I answered?
I was talking to a person on chat. Yesterday he asked me a question. Today I replied, then added:
Did I answer your question?
Now that I think about it I should have probably phrased it like so:
...
2
votes
1answer
64 views
Usage of swum vs swam
Should I use use 'swum' or 'swam' in sentences such as
He swum across the river.
-OR-
He swam across the river.
Which is correct? What's the difference?
Thanks
-1
votes
0answers
20 views
is the past perfect necessary here [duplicate]
I received a notification that this record was in stock again but when I tried to order it seemed that it was already sold out again
Would "had been already sold out" be better?
I don't think so ...
2
votes
1answer
20 views
Usage of did while describing the subject
If you're using did followed by a description of the subject, will the verb that follows be in present or past?
For example, should it be
Did the person you choose have the key?
or
Did the ...
0
votes
1answer
20 views
I had an enjoyable night or I have an enjoyable night
When receiving text from a friend the next day after a dinner.
I replied "Thank you for your invitation. I had an enjoyable night."
Or should I reply "I have an enjoyable night"
1
vote
1answer
20 views
Using “was” even though it still is the case
Is it okay to say was even though it still is the case?
He had his xray this morning and it was normal.
He had his xray this morning and it’s normal.
0
votes
2answers
21 views
require or required after as
After 'as', what form of word should come? A noun, an adjective, an adverb or simple past form of verb?
as require
or
as required
0
votes
2answers
62 views
What is the tense of “wasn't interrupted”
So I'm writing a book and English is not my native language. As I've gotten deeper into the writing process I noticed that I'm almost randomly choosing between past tenses without making much logic (...
1
vote
1answer
51 views
When have you come? Vs when did you come?
I know that the adverb "when" can not be used in questions referring to present perfect. I have referred to many grammar books such as Raymond Murphy's and Micheal Swan's and all those books say that "...
-2
votes
1answer
28 views
what is the best solution in this case
Sorry I have not answered before because I was away from home, to answer to your question " how I heard from the band" , that's because I was looking through the feral kid page when I saw your record,...
2
votes
1answer
41 views
how to distinguish between different uses of present perfect?
1- Complete the following exercise :
I live in New York now ,but I ___________ (live) in Mexico for many years
The answer is "lived" as my grammar book mentioned, But why? ,Since we use the ...
0
votes
1answer
28 views
what is the best choice here
"I was about to email you why I have not received the parcel when..."
I was wondering if present perfect for receive is a good choice since at the time of writing the parcel has not arrived or ...
0
votes
1answer
21 views
Is it okay to say we or us even if you are no longer part of something?
I now work in marketing but I used to work in production.
How do you compare marketing to production?
Here in marketing, your suggestion gets considered. In production, they just ask us to do menial ...
1
vote
1answer
76 views
Why was the simple past instead of the present perfect used?
I have found the following sentence in Michael Swan's grammar book.
From his earliest childhood, he loved music.
So far as I know, present perfect is used to talk about actions that have just ...
0
votes
1answer
42 views
Proper use of Past Perfect Vs Past Simple [duplicate]
English is my second language. I've learned all tense rule. Problem is every day I'm facing a huge confusion between Past simple and Past Perfect.
According to grammar rule, we can you use Past ...
0
votes
1answer
25 views
The difference between “I never followed you” and “I've never followed you”
If someone says to me that
You unfollowed me!
Which answer is correct?
1) I never followed you
2) I've never followed you
I feel like both are correct, but I can't understand the ...
1
vote
2answers
36 views
Can I use the present tense “don't” when referring to a past event?
I would like to know if this sentence is correct:
I don't love you anymore after you left me.
I am wondering if it should be "didn't love anymore", as the second part after after is in the past ...
1
vote
2answers
24 views
After the word “before” should use past tense?
After the word “before” should use past tense?
“This picture was taken before we were blessed with a daughter into our world.”
0
votes
1answer
27 views
Implications of using simple past instead of present perfect
I am reading a text (a PhD thesis) which almost exclusively uses simple past tense when describing something that has happened in the past. In some cases, I feel that the author should have used past ...
0
votes
2answers
39 views
Which one is correct: have happened or had happened?
I'm wondering from these sentences which one is true:
1."So, which one have happened yesterday? You went for a walk or stay here?"
or
2."So which one had happened? You went for a walk or stay ...
3
votes
1answer
76 views
The preterite with imaginary situations in the future: “if tomorrow it was proven”
Is below sentence is correct?
If tomorrow it was proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that God does not and never did exist, would you want to remain a part of your religion.
This is because word ...
-1
votes
1answer
22 views
What is the tense used here? [closed]
I thought you would have eaten by now.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . (OR)
I thought you would have ate by now.
Which is correct?
What is the tense used here?
0
votes
0answers
23 views
Past perfect / present perfect
Which one is correct?
I had wet.
I had got wet.
I have wet.
I have got wet.
2
votes
1answer
22 views
Ali is a great manager. He is/was a born leader
I'm having trouble with the following sentence:
1) Ali is a great manager. He is a born leader.
2) Ali is a great manager. He was a born leader.
I'd say that (1) is the right one since Ali ...
0
votes
1answer
37 views
You were supposed to ask me something?
You were supposed to ask me something?
Could you please correct the above sentence? Can we use sentence like this ?
0
votes
1answer
31 views
Past Simple/Perfect + never
In an English textbook I come across an exapmle without any context
He went to Africa and never came back
What does it mean?
We use Present Simple + never when we are talking about a habit, a ...
0
votes
1answer
28 views
Should use present perfect tense or the past tense for this sentence
My father gave me \ has given me my name.
Well the action "giving my name" happened and finished in the past, but my name has never been changed since that time so the action still affects on the ...
0
votes
1answer
25 views
He prepared for school like he always does (or did?)
I think that the following sentence is grammatically incorrect:
He prepared for school like he always does.
Should it be more grammatical to say:
He prepared for school like he always did.
The ...
0
votes
0answers
55 views
Result in past simple
I was thinking a lot about result in present perfect, but when I reed a book, that character appeared just a moment ago (recently) they still use past simple (for example, "Why did it take you so long?...
0
votes
1answer
38 views
Can somebody help me with tenses?
I have a problem.
I don't understand what does this "result" should look like in present perfect, because when I see in movie that a character says: I forgot it. The result is that he doesn't ...
3
votes
1answer
47 views
Problem to use Past Perfect tense (Had met / met)
Sentence:
It was the first time I had met/met her.
Which tense form should be used, had met or met?
I have come across this sentence only, not from any specific context.
0
votes
0answers
26 views
Alternating between the past and the present perfect
I have a question about the use of the simple past and the present perfect in the same sentence. I heard a native saying the following:
"So far, I’ve sat for three exams, but I didn’t do well on ...
0
votes
0answers
34 views
Do I have to use the past continuous or the past perfect?
I’m working on mixed tenses exercises, and this sentence has confused me! I’d like to know whether my answer is correct or not please. This is the sentence:
“For the first eight years, she worked ...
1
vote
2answers
26 views
Why is present tense uses rather than past tense in this essay?
Grandpa liked chewing tobacco, and he carried a Styrofoam cup with him wherever he went. I remember him spitting in that cup with great regularity when I used to spend the night with him and ...
1
vote
1answer
35 views
Choice between past perfect vs simple past [closed]
John:Why did you not ask your father for money?
Paul:I did not ask him because I
had asked him before for money and (he had become very angry/he became very
angry) at that time.
Which ...
0
votes
1answer
53 views
use of double past tense in a sentence
The use of double past tense is always a bit problematic for me.
So far I have learned that when there is a time reference and two actions happening in past we use past and past perfect. The action ...
0
votes
1answer
52 views
Can't decide between simple past and present perfect
I know the rules and differences like simple past is finished actions and more like story telling while present-perfect emphasizes the experience and its about actions that still continue and past-...
1
vote
1answer
66 views
Can I use a past tense clause after a present perfect one?
Can I use a past tense clause after a present perfect one , for example, like this :
It has just crossed my mind so I added it.
In this sentence, I only want to emphasize the first action to be ...
2
votes
1answer
21 views
Have been Vs was/were
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-birmingham-48339080
There have been seven weeks of protests outside the site from which
"hundreds" of pupils were kept away on Monday.
Why does the ...
2
votes
2answers
29 views
Can we use two different tenses in a sentence
Is this correct ? Can we use two different tenses , like this one for example : ( happened and drops )
“What my parents think happened when a bottle of shampoo drops on the bathroom floor.....” (...
1
vote
1answer
44 views
“spied” vs “was spying”
I'm studying Barron's 504 absolutely essential words and came across this sentence:
"When the bank guard spied the sinister-looking customer, he drew his
gun"
but it seems odd to me..we are ...
0
votes
0answers
24 views
the tense to use with “after” / word choice
The UK now faces the threat of £300m in fines after it (fail) ---------------------------- to meet legally binding EU targets to reduce pollution to safe levels.
failed or has failed
pollutants/ ...
