What are the real rules for choosing past perfect versus choosing past simple when you have two different past actions? I ask because the English sequence of tenses rules I was taught would have made me choose different tenses than those the writers in all three examples I show below chose. That makes me think … Read more
When I read the following sentence, I was filled with uneasiness. Is this construct possible? A book is not always a good book just because it is written by a famous writer. The original sentence is found here, which looks like a collection of past exam questions for Japanese high schoolers. I immediately thought I … Read more
I am not sure if I framed the question right. I will explain, say I have two sentences that describe services provided by a company as below: We provide good quality of service. 1-year warranty on all moving parts. As per my understanding, the first sentence is narrative and first-person point of view. However the … Read more
“It’s okay. Minding people’s business sometimes means care.” She flashed me a gleaming grin. I smiled back. Great, I had solved the mystery of Sumire’s bruise. That was what I had thought. This is first-person past tense. Do I need the had‘s there? Answer … I had solved the mystery… is more than fine. had … Read more
We decided that if they do not leave the place in one day, we would surely force them out. We decided that if they did not leave the place in one day, we would surely force them out. Difference between using ‘do not’ and ‘did not’ in the above sentences? Answer Your second sentence is … Read more
Here’s my specific example: Puffing, Ralphie rested her elbows on the guardrail. Body Woman was now talking to a bald super spy. (For context, Ralphie is on a balcony looking at Body Woman and the super spy.) Is this grammatically correct for what is supposed to be a third person past tense narrative, or does … Read more
Does the could version always show more uncertainty/doubt than the can version in each of ⑴, ⑵, and ⑶? You can/could get very nasty skin diseases from bathing in dirty water. You can/could get into even worse trouble if you’re not careful. Bobby Reynolds did not win at Wimbledon on Thursday, or did he? The … Read more
The following is just one of the examples of thinks I being used by Melville: When, at last, his mind seemed made up touching the character of his bedfellow, and he became, as it were, reconciled to the fact; he jumped out upon the floor, and by certain signs and sounds gave me to understand … Read more
I want to know the correct indirect statement for this sentence: He said,” grass is green.” Answer The category of “universal truth” is a little vague and imprecise – it is better to think of it as “generally accepted as true.” However, and unfortunately, I can’t think of a better term. (Compare He said “All … Read more
How do I write this out as a narrative in a small amount of words? “Add reagent A to each of four test tubes, then To test tube 1 add H2O To test tube 2 add urea standard solution To test tube 3 add plasma A To test tube 4 add plasma B” I’ve tried … Read more
