Questions about the Simple Past tense.
7
votes
1answer
329 views
Why has “sware” become “swore”, “bare” “bore”, etc?
As far as I know, there are four verbs (swear, bear, tear, and wear) whose simple past forms used to be (archaically) sware, bare, tare, and ware; but are now exclusively swore, bore, tore, and wore. ...
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 ...
5
votes
5answers
980 views
Is it correct to use “got” when expressing the simple past tense in British English?
I'm an American and my daughter is learning British English in school, so when I help her with her homework, I have to know the British rules.
She writes:
I have got a horse poster.
I ...
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 ...
6
votes
5answers
3k views
How to use “text” as a verb
–verb (used without object) Digital Technology.
15.
to send a text message: Texting while driving is an accident asking to happen.
Can I use:
I text to her but she didn't text me back.
...
1
vote
3answers
2k views
Can “pro rata” be used as a verb? And what should the past tense be?
We are offering prices on some subscriptions which are normally priced for a full year, but allow users to buy only a few months worth.
We're calling these pro rata prices and talking about the ...
2
votes
3answers
474 views
Past continuous or past simple?
In this sentence, should I use past continuous form of the verb or past simple or it in the gap?
Last night, I was sleeping in my bed, when I ------- (hear) a terrible noise. I ------ (get up) ...
