“it was my dream since childhood” vs “it has been my dream since childhood”

i am not a native English and have a problem for understanding grammar. Is the sentence bellow (A), explain that i am no longer have dream/ same dream after childhood? and is there any possibility that my dream is still same? (A) it was my dream since childhood and the sentence bellow (b). explain that … Read more

Simple past of present perfect?

I wonder which one is correct: David has made a decision to quit his job in spite of good salary. David made a decision to quit his job in spite of good salary. I think that 1 is correct, cause we want to focus on David’s action, but my friends say that 2 is correct. … Read more

What’s the difference between “… a word you have said” and “…a word you said”?

Consider two sentences: I don’t understand a word you said I don’t understand a word you have said. I know about usage of simple past and present perfect, but these kinds of sentences baffle me. What essentially is different between above two? I really have a problem with present perfect in some sentences. Answer The … Read more

Can I use simple past along with present perfect like this?

The sentence is, for example, The researchers investigated and found that due to the rise of AI bots, most of the existing works have focused on protecting the email services from spam. Is this structure considered wrong speaking of tense use? Answer The researchers investigated and found that . . . This part of the sentence happened in the … Read more

Even after + present perfect vs present simple

I came across the following sentence posted at the city of Melbourne public transportation rules, referring to the duties of the transportation officers: They can check your ticket and concession entitlement, even after you’ve left the vehicle or station. Why the verb in the dependent clause (following even after) is in Present Perfect? Would this … Read more

Present Perfect and Simple Past in the same sentence

I have a short and simple question for you. I know that in some circumstances I can use the Present Perfect and the Simple Past in the same sentence, but I am wondering if the following example is the case. “During my studies I have taken part in several group projects, both in Italy and … Read more

“I have been travelling” or “I had been…” or “I was…”?

My teacher asked me where had I been because I was very late. What would be the best answer? I have been travelling from my hometown to here, so I have came late I had been travelling from… I was in travel / travelling from… (Note: that morning I was in my hometown where is … Read more

Switching tense in a sentence when describing events

I’m not sure whether the following sentences are grammatically correct: A figure appeared at the window, waving happily. and, “Sure,” he answered, pulling out a chair at the nearby table. Both sentences sound fine when I read them aloud, but they switch tenses after the comma that leads me to the confusion. Is this correct … Read more

What does definite and indefinite mean in past tense and present perfect respectively

I am reading the grammar book – A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language – these days. I am confused about the meanings of definite and indefinite in Past Tense and Present Perfect. I know that Past Tense means an action or state started and ended before now. For example: He died. From what I … Read more