Questions tagged [present-tense]
The present tense is a grammatical tense that locates a situation or event in present time.
477
questions
0
votes
0answers
13 views
Which one is grammatically correct: “what are you studying” or “what do you study”? [migrated]
Let's say I am having a conversation with an university student and want to ask about his or her major. In that scenario, which one should I use, "what are you studying" or "what do you ...
-1
votes
1answer
59 views
Is sentence “I paint for 3 hours” grammatically correct? [closed]
Is the sentence below grammatically correct?
"I paint for 3 hours"
Google Translate translates from my native language to this sentence. Also, I checked this sentence on grammarly online ...
0
votes
0answers
22 views
using which in relative cause as an object
For example, is this sentence correct?
“If your friend isn’t reliable, he/she can use the things which your friend knows about you against you.”
0
votes
1answer
24 views
“Report” in simple present where it apparently should be either in progressive or simple past
I was going through a piece of news at B.B.C at this link, when I came across this line:
Israeli media report that the document did not include any references to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
I ...
0
votes
1answer
23 views
Past simple and past progressive. Taught vs. was teaching
Can some one explain me. This sentence:"He taught constantly for forty-five years. ". Here's used Past simple. I would like to know, why, and can I use past continuous:" He was teaching ...
0
votes
0answers
22 views
In a novel, should a subordinate clause use present tense while the main clause is past?
Provided this is correct:
The general rule is to match the tense of a subordinate clause with the tense of the main clause. E.g. He vacuumed while I washed the dishes. However, a subordinate clause ...
0
votes
2answers
22 views
Which present tense should you use when talking about continuous pain?
The speaker can still feel the pain in the moment of speaking (he's asking if he's still able to go abroad with this back pain) & it's some sort of dialogue between some ordinary guy & a ...
0
votes
1answer
25 views
Is this sentence of Vitalik Buterin correct?
I was reading A Philosophy of Blockchain Validation of Vitalik Buterin. The following sentence strikes me as odd:
Data availability checks do rely on a very conservative assumption that there exists ...
1
vote
0answers
27 views
The Present Simple tense use
I would like to know why this tense is used instead of the present continuous in the following examples:
As we speak (instead of - as we are speaking) something is taking place
He joins us from (...
1
vote
3answers
140 views
Should I use “the” in the phrase “the check-in for a flight”, in this context?
I have this sentence in Russian I need to translate into English:
"Звучит объявление о регистрации на рейс Кабул - Гонконг."
The best I can come up with is this:
"An announcement rings ...
1
vote
3answers
68 views
Present simple vs. “Would”
Swift code has a column limit of 100 characters. Except as noted below, any line that would exceed this limit must be line-wrapped as described in Line-Wrapping. - https://google.github.io/swift/
...
0
votes
0answers
32 views
Since + Present Perfect or From + Simple Present?
I had a debate with another translator the other day. My colleague wrote "From 15 July 2020 ... is allowed..." Since she wrote this in August 2020, she was clearly referring to a specific ...
0
votes
2answers
48 views
What's difference between “ I knew i loved you” and “ i knew i love you”?
I can't understand when i can use past and present tenses in one sentence together and when i can use only past one.
I knew you loved me
I knew you love me
they're both referring to present moment ...
0
votes
0answers
37 views
Which one I should use? Infinitive or present participle?
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
I think it is good for students to have cellphones.
I think having cellphones is good for students.
0
votes
1answer
33 views
“I am not going to use it recently” Is this technically correct?
I want to say I'm not going to use something in the recent future. Can I say it like “I am not going to use it recently”?
0
votes
0answers
23 views
usage of present perfect and past tense when it comes to people who passed away
If the persons I am referring to are no more, in that case which of these is right?
a) He has met them (they are no more) many times, or
b) He met them many times.
( Here I get confused whether the ...
0
votes
0answers
24 views
If You Look vs. If You're Looking: When advertising a Product
Is it correct to use "if you look for" instead of "if you're looking for" when promoting a product?
"If you look for creamy peanut butter spread, you may message me."
I ...
0
votes
0answers
31 views
Question concerning tenses
Lauren has coaxed her brother many times to go cinema with her but he never listens
Lauren has coaxed her brother many times to go cinema with her but he never listened
Which sentence is correct?
...
0
votes
1answer
22 views
Differentiate between Present Simple vs Present Progressive (Continuous)
Is the following sentence in Present Simple or Continuous tense? and how to change it to the other tense?
I am in class.
Please I am learning English. If you encounter any mistake help me to correct ...
0
votes
0answers
22 views
How do you differentiate the use of “When I asked…” and “When I have asked…”
This might be a very basic question for native speakers of English, but I'd really appreciate if you could help me to understand the difference between "When I asked" and "When I have ...
1
vote
1answer
32 views
Should present tense be always used when completed works / published books etc. make reference to their contents?
When the subject is certain creation (created in the past) where there cannot be changes, like:
The published book / The proposed plan / The play "Romeo and Juliet" / The poster that won the ...
0
votes
0answers
26 views
What is the correct way to ask about something that happened some time ago?
When I took one test I had to choose between four options:
a) Did you hear that he has been assigned to a new project last week?
b) Have you heard that he has been assigned to a new project last week?
...
0
votes
0answers
27 views
What’s a matter-of-fact tone?
I was wondering if a matter-of-fact tone was the same as a straightforward tone, and if these terms all mean “simple” or “without emotions”. (I am not a native speaker for that matter).
If I speak or ...
0
votes
0answers
40 views
What are the verbs that need a gerund after “to”?
So could someone tell me what the verbs are that must have “ing” (gerund) after “to”? (a small list)
I know we have : “look forward to”, “admit to”, “be opposed to”... but are there other verbs?
2
votes
1answer
221 views
“had spent” vs. “spent”
Which tense would be appropriate in this case - past perfect simple or past simple?
"After he had spent some of the money, he decided to find his dream house."
or
"After he spent some ...
2
votes
1answer
37 views
Perfect Tense Stative verbs
I'd like you to tell me which one of my following sentences is correct. I am not sure if I have to use the past simple or present perfect.
I'd add that I want to talk about something which is still ...
0
votes
0answers
26 views
The present perfect with distant actions in the past
The present perfect serves in different aspects and conveys different nuances two of which are these:
1) An action with a result in the present.
I have bought a new sweater. = I have a sweater now.
...
1
vote
1answer
25 views
It was I or it is I (or both since it is just a matter of perspectives)
This confusion has been haunting me since I was fifteen. Please consider the following:
A. It was I who killed your mom.
B. It is I who killed your mom.
Question: As far as I know, we can apply two ...
0
votes
0answers
16 views
The present vs the past (when it comes to a range of possibilities covering dead and living people and if the answer is someone who has died)
Suppose there is a list of people who have been named as the candidates for being the best president ever. On the list are the incumbent and some ex-presidents, some of whom have died. How would we ...
0
votes
0answers
23 views
“The solution would be that he go and talk.”
Just need to confirm if this construction is correct.
Would also really appreciate it if it could be broken down too from a grammatical perspective.
Many thanks!
2
votes
1answer
45 views
Should we always use the past if the person is no longer alive or when we refer to a past state
When I want to point out that the person is still regarded as the best student till now, tho they have been gone or they are not a student anymore, what tense should I use, the present or the past? ...
0
votes
0answers
31 views
Is try to vs is trying to
I was taking a quiz at Coursera and there was a sentence
What kitchen counter may be a better environment to help someone who is try to manage their weight?
I was confused – shouldn't this be "is ...
0
votes
0answers
27 views
If Conditional with Present perfect
Someone has been searching for his spectacles for an hour. He is thinking that someone has hidden his spectacles and asks one of his friends whether he is hiding them or not. His friend says, " If I ...
0
votes
0answers
26 views
“used to be” with a fact [duplicate]
In the situation where we have:
It used to be thought that...
We use the past tense with the verb that follows since it's something in the past.
But what if the following is meant to be a fact?
I ...
1
vote
1answer
70 views
During with Present Perfect?
Can anyone make this clear for me? Look at this sentence:
-"I have been making this Tshirt during the confinement period"
Let's imagine that the confinement period is not over, and that the job with ...
0
votes
0answers
33 views
Present participle, gerund, or modifier
Which one of the following is right?
1) I am a doctor working in a hospital.
2) I am, a doctor, working in a hospital.
3) I am a doctor, working in a hospital.
Does "working" modify "doctor" in ...
0
votes
0answers
28 views
Present Perfect vs Past Simple - Distant Actions
If I’m talking about an action that happened in the distant past, I mean, an action that didn’t happen recently, I need to use the Simple Past? We can’t use the Present Perfect like that, can we?
0
votes
1answer
51 views
Present perfect with 'in the last 10 days'
I've read this sentence on TIME:
But dozens of new cases have been confirmed in the last week.
and months ago read this on a questionaire;
Which have you used in the past?
Is it OK to use the ...
0
votes
1answer
29 views
After and Before Clauses
guys. I would like to ask whether a clause should always be in the past if it follows another clause starting with after in the past. For instance: After she read the note, she understands/understood ...
0
votes
0answers
34 views
The present perfect in the main clause and in the subordinate clause
Share your view on this issue. I was exposed to the following concept:
1 He has had a bike in the last two months. (is wrong)
Instead, it should be
1a He had a bike in the last two months. (is ...
0
votes
0answers
91 views
Is this sentence a simple sentence or a compound sentence?
You can either come with me now or walk home.
Some people say it's compound because there are two clauses, but I think there aren't two clauses: there is one subject and a compound verb. Are there ...
0
votes
1answer
127 views
Wonder if she will come or if she comes?
My grammar book says that I should use present tense forms in conditional clauses with words like "if" to talk about the future.
We won't be able to go out if it rains. (NOT will rain)
Now I wonder ...
0
votes
0answers
31 views
Confusion in the selection of Verb/Auxiliary Verb
Below are the sentences 1) from scientific Journal 2) from a book. Since both are published text, however, my confined knowledge makes me ask this question. In 1) sentence two things are mentioned "...
1
vote
1answer
70 views
“I have been busy” past vs present
When someone asks me during a phone call " where have you been " then I answer as follow : I have been busy
1-Does it necessarily means that I was busy and I am still busy or could it means that I ...
0
votes
1answer
55 views
The posted video is/was about something. Is or Was?
I've been attending online classes (recorded) on a daily basis and once the uploaded video wasn't on the topic as per the timetable. I texted my teacher a question similar to this:
Shouldn't today's ...
-1
votes
2answers
257 views
“If she didn't win” or “If she doesn't win”? [closed]
Which one is correct?
If she didn't win an award, I'll riot.
or
If she doesn't win an award, I'll riot.
Can someone explain what are the difference?
0
votes
0answers
37 views
Consistency in Present Tense Sentences
Which is correct/more appropriate?
She has knocked over the vase before I can stop her.
OR
She knocks over the vase before I can stop her.
Thanks in advance for your help!
0
votes
0answers
122 views
“I am having” or “I have”?
I found this question in a test paper of an International English Competition. The task was to put the verb in brackets into the correct tense:
I can't come. I _______ (have) piano lessons at that ...
1
vote
0answers
26 views
Which one would fit better in this context between present continuous and present perfect continuous?
It is from official standard English test. The question is like below.
Fitness enthusiasts may feel that their workouts are no longer as effective as they were. When an individual ______________ for ...
0
votes
2answers
148 views
Present participle of want?
Most of the dictionaries online do not list 'wanting' as the present participle of 'want'. It just means 'lacking' in general it seems. However some dictionaries do and I am wondering if the 'wanting' ...
