Choice

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Choose the right answer and tell why please:He worked hard at school last term but he ...................... hard this term.a. hasn't worked              b. doesn't work           c. didn't work hard

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

kamalali:

Until the experts answer, may I share my opinion?

(1) Is the term still in progress? If so, we can eliminate "c."

(2) I don't like "b," but I can't explain why.

(3) Therefore, I choose "a."

(i) He worked hard last term. Sadly, he has not worked hard this term SO FAR (up to this time). But who knows? There is still time left in this term. He may change his attitude at any time and become the best student in the class.

(a) present perfect: He started something in the past (He did not study hard when this term began) and his "not studying hard" continues to this day (his past conduct "touches" the present). His "not studying hard" continues, BUT it CAN change because we are talking about the past and the present.

*****

P.S. Maybe I don't like "He doesn't work hard this term" because the term is not finished. How can you say (predict) that he doesn't work hard this term. If you want to describe his behavior SO FAR (up to this minute), then you need the present perfect.

Tom hasn't found a girlfriend SO FAR this year. (Maybe he will tomorrow.)

Tom doesn't find a girlfriend this year. = This sounds like a prediction. This sounds as if you knew the future.

Thank you.

CalifJim · Answer

kamalaliHe worked hard at school last term but he .. hard this term.

a. hasn't worked b. doesn't work c. didn't work hard

You need a. hasn't worked.

b. doesn't work is habitual, so you don't want that. To use the present, you would need "but he isn't working hard this term".

c. didn't work hard is past, and this term means the present term, to the two are incompatible.

CJ

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