Because they've run/they ran out of gas
There is a scene in a movie where someone is driving a car that runs out of gas. One of the characters gets out of the car and starts pushing it. "A" comes into the room and starts watching the movie with you. Soon afterwards, the character goes back in and starts thinking about what to do.
A: Why was he pushing the car? (said, say, one minute after he got back into the car)
B: Because they've run/they ran out of gas.
Since they're still out of gas, is it okay to say "have run". What's the most natural tense to use here?
Top answer
Necrophagist What's the most natural tense to use here? Neither. They are both about equally natural.
- Necrophagist What's the most natural tense to use here?
- Neither.
- They are both about equally natural.
- Being American I tend toward "they ran", but "they've run" may be more common in other varieties of English spoken elsewhere.
- CJ
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
NecrophagistWhat's the most natural tense to use here?
Neither. They are both about equally natural.
Being American I tend toward "they ran", but "they've run" may be more common in other varieties of English spoken elsewhere.
CJ
0
Related Questions