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Anonymous Posted 21 years ago
Grammar
tense after helping verb
I have a confusion...after an auxilary verb like was/were do I still use the past tense behind it? or i just use the present tense like the tense "I did do my homework"?
Top answer
In general was/were used to represent a an activity in progress in the past. For example. He was running.
- In general was/were used to represent a an activity in progress in the past.
- For example.
- He was running.
- I was eating.
- You were going to the city.
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5 Answers
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In general was/were used to represent a an activity in progress in the past. For example.
He was running.
I was eating.
You were going to the city.
It is common to say "I am done". May be it is correct to say "I was done". I am not sure about the other used of was/were.
But one thing is sure that if you use "did" then the main verb should be in present
He was running.
I was eating.
You were going to the city.
It is common to say "I am done". May be it is correct to say "I was done". I am not sure about the other used of was/were.
But one thing is sure that if you use "did" then the main verb should be in present
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Well, after was/were you usually use either the present participle (progressive aspect) or the past participle (passive voice), as in:
He was selling.
It was sold.
It is also possible to use the infinitive as in:
He was to sell the house. (this one is about a plan/ arrangement)
Or even a perfect infinitive as in:
I was
He was selling.
It was sold.
It is also possible to use the infinitive as in:
He was to sell the house. (this one is about a plan/ arrangement)
Or even a perfect infinitive as in:
I was
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With "if" I have been taught to say
If I "were"........
however, all the other persons are the same as always
Don't know rhyme or reason, but it was taught as proper grammar
If I "were"........
however, all the other persons are the same as always
Don't know rhyme or reason, but it was taught as proper grammar
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Hi, Anon,
"If I were..." is correct. Yet it would be better if you gave us whole sentences we could comment upon. And yes, all the persons are the same everywhere, when you have a close look at them...
"If I were..." is correct. Yet it would be better if you gave us whole sentences we could comment upon. And yes, all the persons are the same everywhere, when you have a close look at them...
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...all the persons are the same everywhere, when you have a close look at them...An uncharacteristically jaundiced statement...yet...sadly...true...
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