Is there a correct usage of “include” or “included” when referring to a category from the past? For example: TV shows from the 80’s include Cheers, The Cosby Show, and Newhart. or TV shows from the 80’s included Cheers, The Cosby Show, and Newhart. I personally think both sound fine. And that maybe “include” sounds … Read more
E.g., I would like to say X was almost impossible to be used in research until 2000s despite being invented a decade ago In this sentence, I would like to express that X was invented in 1990s. Would this sentence be understandable? Or do I have to say …despite being invented in 1990s? I would … Read more
In a situation, [for example] when the guy is continuously cheating and at the moment i say that sentence he is still cheating [/for example], should i say “he was cheating” or “he is cheating”? There’re 2 variants of that example sentence: “i screamed at him because he was cheating” or “i screamed at him … Read more
In this sentence: The ship (set/sets) sail for the city of New York on the fifth of April. Should we use “set” or “sets“? Note that it is not known if the “fifth of April” is in the past or the future. Answer In order to get the right tense, you have to know whether … Read more
Yesterday, I had a Grammar exam and I came across this question, I tried to look everywhere on the internet but I couldn’t find anything related since “used to” always comes as a habit and followed with a contrast. The sentence is “He used never to drink so much coffee, before he went to bed.” … Read more
Shall I change That Bilbo said he was a legendary burglar is really funny. to That Bilbo said he was a legendary burglar was really funny. ? Answer You do not have to change it for grammatical reasons. Both sentences are grammatically correct. You change it according to what you want the sentence to mean. … Read more
This expression is usually used in past tense (“little did he know”) but can it also be used in present tense? Answer I don’t see why not. The contexts in which you’d use it in the present tense are more limited, but it’s perfectly grammatical. I’d imagine you might use this when recording someone’s internal … Read more
I have a basic grammar question about the past tense. If I met a guy yesterday, which tense should I use about his name today? For example, “Yesterday I met a guy, his name is/was John.” Answer Either is possible. In my personal opinion it comes down to context. Was this a fleeting acquaintance or … Read more
How do I form a question based on the following details: At 1pm on Sunday Jim: Are you a virgin? Jane: Yes nothing happened from 1pm to 9pm At 9pm on Sunday: Did Jim ask you whether you were a virgin? or At 9pm on Sunday: Did Jim ask you whether you are a virgin? … Read more
I notice that people used to speak not necessarily more clearly, or distinctly, but their voice had a certain ‘choppiness’ to it that you don’t hear anymore… Unless the person doing the speaking is doing it purposefully to sound old-timey. (Think of the narrator in the movie UP by pixar) Here is an example of … Read more
