0
Teo Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

past/present perfect progressive

When I was a little child, I fell in love with playing basketball. When I had some leisure time, I would find a court to play. I ____ been doing this all along. Finally I became a professor. My students often kindly invite me to play basketball with them. Regretfully, I found out that I am too old to be involved in this kind of sports. Twice, I almost got hurt. The students were embarrassed. I switched to tennis playing after I became forty years old and have been doing so ever since. I have never been hurt by playing tennis.

Which word should I use to fill in the blank, have or had?
  

Top answer

I'd use had .

— Ruslana

  • I'd use had .
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

8 Answers
0
"Had", without hesitation, according to the context.
0
0
Everything in the context is written in the past point of view. There is nothing to suggest that the author is still playing basketball in present time. In fact, as the story progresses, we see that it is quite certain that the author no longer plays basketball in present time.

The choice has to be had.

CJ
0
0
CalifJimEverything in the context is written in the past point of view. There is nothing to suggest that the author is still playing basketball in present time. In fact, as the story progresses, we see that it is quite certain that the author no longer plays basketball in present time.
There's this sentence which messes up the tenses:

M
0
0
Yes, indeed. Surprisingly, the sudden shift of point of view is not too shocking in this example! I've seen cases that were much more nerve-jangling than this one!
0
0
CalifJimYes, indeed. Surprisingly, the sudden shift of point of view is not too shocking in this example! I've seen cases that were much more nerve-jangling than this one!
0
0
shocking, jarring, unnerving, disturbing
They all have similar meanings, yes.
nerve-jangling also has a similar meaning, but I doubt you will find it in a dictionary. It is an adjective I formed from to jangle one's nerves.

CJ
0

Related Questions