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Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
Can I use past tense in this case?
Hello,
I'm studying English grammar. I have a question about this usage of past tense when having seen this example for past perfect continuous:
Mozart's sister was extremely gifted at the keyboard and she had been making excellent progress.
They used the past perfect continuous because they meant that it focused on the activity instead of the result. So it means that I can use the past perfect if I wanna know the result. But I don't know why the use the past perfect (continuous) tense. I don't think the reason is to describe an event happening before another. Can I use the past tense in this case ?
Thanks,
I'm studying English grammar. I have a question about this usage of past tense when having seen this example for past perfect continuous:
Mozart's sister was extremely gifted at the keyboard and she had been making excellent progress.
They used the past perfect continuous because they meant that it focused on the activity instead of the result. So it means that I can use the past perfect if I wanna know the result. But I don't know why the use the past perfect (continuous) tense. I don't think the reason is to describe an event happening before another. Can I use the past tense in this case ?
Thanks,
Top answer
Hi, Yes, there is no apparent reason here to use either form of Past Perfect. Using Past Perfectwhen there is no reason is a comon error by people who are learning Englsih. I'd use Past Continuous.
- Hi, Yes, there is no apparent reason here to use either form of Past Perfect.
- Using Past Perfectwhen there is no reason is a comon error by people who are learning Englsih.
- I'd use Past Continuous.
- ( .
- .
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12 Answers
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Hi,
Yes, there is no apparent reason here to use either form of Past Perfect. Using Past Perfectwhen there is no reason is a comon error by people who are learning Englsih.
I'd use Past Continuous. ( . . . she was making . . . )
C
Yes, there is no apparent reason here to use either form of Past Perfect. Using Past Perfectwhen there is no reason is a comon error by people who are learning Englsih.
I'd use Past Continuous. ( . . . she was making . . . )
C
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Thanks Clive for your answer. And i'm sorry I don't understand what you mean by saying "Using Past Perfect when there ...". You mean that the beginner usually need a reason to use Past Perfect (therefore it's a common error) or using Past Perfect without any reason is an error?
In addition, if that sentence is in present, I can know the reason to use with the present perfect. So can we in
In addition, if that sentence is in present, I can know the reason to use with the present perfect. So can we in
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Hi,
I meant that, for non-native learners, using Past Perfect when it is not needed is a common error.
eg Yesterday I had done my homework.
In addition, if that sentence is in present, I can know the reason to use with the present perfect. So can we infer t
I meant that, for non-native learners, using Past Perfect when it is not needed is a common error.
eg Yesterday I had done my homework.
In addition, if that sentence is in present, I can know the reason to use with the present perfect. So can we infer t
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I just try to find a better reason (at least) to note for later. I mean that if that sentence is in present, we use the present perfect. So in this case it is in past, so we should use the past perfect.
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Hi,
Tom's sister is extremely gifted at the keyboard and she has been making excellent progress. Fine.
The Present perfect indicates 'the past up until the present'.
Mozart's sister was extremely gifted at the keyboard an
Tom's sister is extremely gifted at the keyboard and she has been making excellent progress. Fine.
The Present perfect indicates 'the past up until the present'.
Mozart's sister was extremely gifted at the keyboard an
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I got it.0
Totally agree with clive, I usually explain to my students about tense using logical sense.
Tom's sister is extremely gifted at the keyboard and she has been making excellent progress.
(it is used to emphasized that most likely Tom's sister is still making improvement.
Mozart's sister was extremely gifted at the keyboard and she had been making excellent progre
Tom's sister is extremely gifted at the keyboard and she has been making excellent progress.
(it is used to emphasized that most likely Tom's sister is still making improvement.
Mozart's sister was extremely gifted at the keyboard and she had been making excellent progre
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Hi,
Compare
eg Mozart's sister died in 1829. She was extremely gifted at the keyboard and she had been making excellent progress.
Clive
Compare
eg Mozart's sister died in 1829. She was extremely gifted at the keyboard and she had been making excellent progress.
Clive
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Hi,
Can you tell me any concern when adding that sentence? I don't see any impact.
T
Can you tell me any concern when adding that sentence? I don't see any impact.
T
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Hi,
Can you tell me any concern when adding that sentence? I don't see any impact
Mozart's sister died in 1829. She was extremely gifted at the keyboard and she had been making excellent progress.
The Past Perfect here indicates 'the past up until 1829'.
Can you tell me any concern when adding that sentence? I don't see any impact
Mozart's sister died in 1829. She was extremely gifted at the keyboard and she had been making excellent progress.
The Past Perfect here indicates 'the past up until 1829'.
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