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Takehisa Tanaka Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

About Tense

Hi,

I have one question about tense.

My textbook has the following sentences:
A: Here comes that famous actor who's on that TV program on Fridays.
B: Really? He came here? I can't believe it. I'm just dying to shake hands with him and say hello.

My question is:
Why does A use present tense while B uses past tense?

Thanks in advance.
  

Top answer

Takehisa Tanaka Why does A use present tense while B uses past tense? A is talking about the current event of the famous actor approaching A and B at the very moment they are speaking. B is talking about the past event of the famous actor traveling to and arriving at the location where A and B are having their conversation.

— CalifJim

  • Takehisa Tanaka Why does A use present tense while B uses past tense?
  • A is talking about the current event of the famous actor approaching A and B at the very moment they are speaking.
  • B is talking about the past event of the famous actor traveling to and arriving at the location where A and B are having their conversation.
  • This must have happened earlier, for example, when the plane or train brought the famous actor to the town where A and B live.
  • Note that even "here" refers to something different in A's speech compared with B's speech.
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2 Answers
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Takehisa TanakaWhy does A use present tense while B uses past tense?
A is talking about the current event of the famous actor approaching A and B at the very moment they are speaking.
B is talking about the past event of the famous actor traveling to and arriving at the location where A and B are having their conversation. This must have happened e
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Thank CalifJimEmotion: smile,
I could understand well.
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