Tagged Questions
2
votes
2answers
208 views
“He was telling me that he is going…” vs. “He told me that he is going…”
Is it right to say
He was telling me that he will go on a vacation next week.
while recounting your experience?
Even though "he told me that he is going..." seems more appropriate, I would still ...
5
votes
2answers
159 views
Why is the progressive form used here?
In February 1825 he married Julianne Thiemer, daughter of a property owner and well-established glove-maker in Seesen. Heinrich, a cabinet maker without property, a Beiwohner(boarder), was marrying ...
3
votes
4answers
5k views
“I have received” vs. “I received”
The option of using simple past vs. present perfect in situations like the following has been bothering me for quite some time.
I sent you a letter a few days ago; I was wondering if you have ...
5
votes
4answers
585 views
“He was the first person” vs. “he is the first person”
What is the correct tense to be used when talking about firsts?
He was the first person to reach the South Pole.
He is the first person to reach the South Pole.
The first one seems right, ...
1
vote
3answers
233 views
Present Perfect in reviews
When explaining an experiment from a paper which one of the following seems more suitable and natural.
In this paper they study the genetic structure of human body. They have examined over 100 ...
5
votes
6answers
2k views
“Told” vs. “said to” somebody
I told him that you hate him
I said to him that you hate him
I was choosing between these two options, and I can't help thinking about the subtle differences.
For example, "I told him ...
2
votes
3answers
5k views
“I had a dinner” vs. “I was having a dinner”
A friend of mine showed a video on her Facebook wall post. She posted this:
I had a dinner with Chinese friends, I was happy at that moment!!
Should it be "I was having a dinner" instead of "I ...
