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MyShirley Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

Past tense or present tense

I have just finished my test, and I said to my classmate " How was it going with your test?" and "How was the questions?"

Is the past tense needed in this case? Can I use the present tense?

Thanks
  

Top answer

" Is the past tense needed in this case? Can I use the present tense? Say it this way: How did the test go?

  • " Is the past tense needed in this case?
  • Can I use the present tense?
  • Say it this way: How did the test go?
  • How were the questions?
  • The test is finished, so it's a past event.
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9 Answers
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Hi,

I have just finished my test, I assume you mean that your classmate had also finished the test

and I said to my classmate " How was it going with your test?" and "How was the questions?"

Is the past tense needed in this case? Can I use the present tense?

Say it this way:
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You can only use the present tense if they are still doing the test while you are talking to them. 'How is it going with your test?' 'How are the questions?' You are not normally allowed to talk during tests though so you probably want to talk to them when you have both finished.

'How did it go with your test?' and 'How were the questions?'.

Note I have changed your 'was the ques
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Hi Nina,

Sorry to be picky but your sentence "... when you have both finished" sounds awkward, is it a common sentential constuct?

And your sentence "What were the questions like?" looks good but can I also say "How were the questions like?"?

How would you also deal with the situation like the one underlined in terms of punctuations?
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have you had your lunch? is it correct sentence?
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"... when you have both finished" sounds awkward, is it a common sentential constuct? Yes, it's a normal construct

And your sentence "What were the questions like?" looks good but can I also say "How were the questions like?"? No, but you could say "How were the questions?' or 'How did you find the questions?' How is not used with like.

You only need one question mark, and i
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Have you had your lunch?

This is ok.
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i took my test but it was not that good because i have problem with the english please help me
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Hi,
OK. Write some sentences with these tenses, and show them to us. OK?

Best wishes, Clive
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Believercan I also say "How were the questions like?"
No! Never ask how something is/was like. Ask what something is/was like.
CJ

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