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DearYolanda Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Has or had?

Hi, here is a paragraph from a diary. “I” am new to the school, and don’t know English very well.



I just found out that we are having a math quiz tomorrow. Mr. Ward has been telling us about the quiz since last week, but I didn’t understand what he has/had been saying.







Which word is proper here, has or had? Thank you!
  

Top answer

Both has and had are possible depending on the perspectives of the speaker. " which implies time passed.

— Dimsumexpress

  • Both has and had are possible depending on the perspectives of the speaker.
  • " which implies time passed.
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7 Answers
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Both has and had are possible depending on the perspectives of the speaker. With a back shift persepctive, it's "had" becasue of "I didn't understand ......." which implies time passed.
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DearYolandaMr. Ward has been telling us about the quiz since last week, but I didn’t understand what he has/had been saying.
... has been telling us about the quiz since last week, but I haven't understood what he has been saying.

CJ
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Hi, Jim. I think "I just found out that we are having a math quiz tomorrow. " means "I" didn't understand Mr. Ward's words for a week, until just now I finally figured out what he has been talking about. Is it right?
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I agree with Jim.

You have to use Haven't understood.

But if you want to use didn't understand I think Had been is the right choice because you are talking about an action that started in the past before another action in the past .so I go for past perfect continuous.

To me it sounds more natural to say I didn't understant
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Hi, hrsanei. I totally trust you people, but I'm a little confused. I think "I haven't understood..." means "I didn't understand, and I still don't understand", but since "I" have known there is going to be a test, it should be "I" have understood what Mr. Ward has been saying, only that "my" understanding came a week later than that of other students...

Or is it that—it came to me just
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I just found out that we are having a math quiz tomorrow. Mr. Ward has been telling us about the quiz since last week, but I didn't understand what he has/had been saying.
DearYolanda"I just found out that we are having a math quiz tomorrow. " means "I" didn't understand Mr. Ward's words for a week, until just now I finally figured out what he has been talking about. Is i
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Thank you, Jim! Now I see.
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