A set of forms taken by a verb to indicate the time and/or completeness and continuance of the action in relation to the time of the utterance.
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3answers
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Question about interrogations in past tense
In regard to this answer, my question is similar but that answer is not clear. I want to know why we use base form of verb, e.g. 'go' to form the past tense instead of past form such as 'went'?
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8
votes
5answers
2k views
Future tense in conditional clauses
All the textbooks I have ever come across during the course of my studying English emphasize that future tense should not be used in conditional clauses.
For example,
If it rains in the evening, ...
2
votes
3answers
661 views
Is “has died for several years” correct?
I know it is correct to say
He has been dead for three years.
I've learned the present perfect tense, and it's said that non-continuous verbs are allowed. Is this sentence correct as well?
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4
votes
2answers
983 views
Present perfect for past action with present effect
If I seem tired, can I say: "I haven't slept last night"? If not, why have I been told that we use present perfect for actions that have present effects?
4
votes
4answers
405 views
“If” and “would be” when talking about future events
I am watching a basketball game right now, and the team that I am rooting for is losing. I want to say that if they win, that would be something. Which one is the correct way to state it?
If Miami ...
1
vote
3answers
415 views
Past simple and present perfect
In news reports, we often read or hear events introduced with the present perfect, and then the past simple like this:
The film star Jim Cooper has died of cancer. He was 68 and lived in Texas.
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6
votes
3answers
581 views
What tense is “If I were a bird, I could fly”
The sentence is not referring to any time past, present of future. It's just referring to an imaginary condition which has never existed and seemingly will never exist. Still, the sentence and other ...
21
votes
1answer
982 views
How do you conjugate Early Modern English verbs (other than present tense)?
I was wondering how one might conjugate verbs in early modern English in various tenses. I am aware of the fact that for second person and third person singular specifically, the verb endings are -est ...
4
votes
3answers
263 views
*Joking* used in continuous form
"I'm only joking" and "She wasn't joking".
Why is the verb to joke used in the present continuous, instead of the present simple tense? Is it because it's a dynamic verb?
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votes
2answers
1k views
Went to vs have been to
What is the difference between saying,
I have been to New York and LA;
I went to New York and LA?
I know one is simple past and the other is not. I am looking for how they are used from a ...
2
votes
2answers
5k views
“I had sent you”
I received the following email today, we discussed the report before the email where I told the person that I hadn't(also can I use hadn't here) received it. I was wondering if it's all grammatical. ...
2
votes
1answer
347 views
Describing Historical Events
When we describe historical events, like events related to the Roman empires, Persian empires, etc., what is the best way to describe peoples' thought with a connection to the present?
People ...
1
vote
1answer
459 views
Correct tense for “I wish I had worn socks today” [closed]
I had an argument in the office today, about structuring something I said about not wearing socks.
I said the first of the four lines below, then everyone had their input. All the arguing gave three ...
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votes
1answer
69 views
What are the functions of each part of the principal parts?
I'm having trouble understanding each participle. I also can't find an explanation that I understand.
I would like to know from you the function of each part of the principal parts:
Present
Present ...
