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Scribbler Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
Sequence of tenses help ... started/worked?
I can't figure out whether the last word should be "works" or "worked."
In September, John's son started to go to day care while he works/worked.
I think "works" sounds better. "Worked" seems to indicate that John worked in September, but doesn't work any more. With "works," it sounds like John is still working now and that his son is still going to day care.
But isn't there a rule that says it has to be "worked"?
In September, John's son started to go to day care while he works/worked.
I think "works" sounds better. "Worked" seems to indicate that John worked in September, but doesn't work any more. With "works," it sounds like John is still working now and that his son is still going to day care.
But isn't there a rule that says it has to be "worked"?
Top answer
No, the rule is the past , the present is the exception here.
- No, the rule is the past , the present is the exception here.
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3 Answers
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See, the problem is that I think "work" COULD be correct in some instances. Here's another example:
Option 1. We decided to teach our son to drive while he was on vacation.
There's little doubt that the above sentence is correct: We decided to teach him to drive during his vacation, which is now over. But what if I were to say:
Option 2. We decided to teach our
Option 1. We decided to teach our son to drive while he was on vacation.
There's little doubt that the above sentence is correct: We decided to teach him to drive during his vacation, which is now over. But what if I were to say:
Option 2. We decided to teach our
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