"Timeline Explanation" needed for different "verb forms"

Question

Hey!I'm still relatively new to english, and we are currently learning how to use certain "verb forms" (Don't know how to call it...). Since I already read english things on the internet before we got english-classes, I can kind of "feel" what to use most of the time, but when I try to think about WHY some form is employed (Or just try to think logically what to write in a test for example, instead of just writing what comes to my mind), I have no clue at all.Here are a few examples (Mistakes from a recent test of mine):(It would be awesome if someone could explain those errors to me, also by showing some kind of timeline.Sentence: "I looked at my watch and realized that we ___ (sit) on that train all day."-&gt; My gut feeling instantly tells me to put in "had been sitting". But if I think of what to write there, I tend to "Have been sitting" - Since they still ARE sitting on that train RIGHT NOW. "had been sitting" would mean that the action is over, wouldn't it? So, well, I got that wrong apparently.had been sitting: -|////|-now--have been sitting: ---|////now----Sentence: "They took us to a building site where different companies (operate), each of which etc..."-&gt; were operating. Even if I got this right, WHY? I don't understand."were " also is a timespan in the past, but why is "have been operating" impossible? I mean, other than feeling impossible of course.Sentence: "The trafficker introduced us to the foreman in a few words as if arrangements ____(make) in advance."-&gt; Somehow I put "were made" in here, even if the solution & my current gut feeling is telling me to put "had been made" in. Again, where is the big difference? Basically same problem as in the previous sentence.Sentence: "Only one person a week, only one of those who ____ (be) here for a long time, knew etc...."-&gt; I put in "have been", and it still seems logical to me, since those persons still ARE "here"...Thanks in advance!Kind regards,Darkium

Wilpeter · Accepted Answer

Darkiumrealized that we ___ (sit) on that train all day.

Since "realized" is past tense - you know a past form is needed; "all day" adds the continuous action.

Darkiumtook us to a building site where different companies (operate), each of which

The companies were still operating - each of which indicates plural - and present

Darkiumintroduced us to the foreman in a few words as if arrangements ____(make) in advance.

Already completed (introduced us) - made; in advance (had been made)

Darkium one person a week, only one of those who ____ (be) here

Because there's a repetitive activity, the chosen person had to have been here during that week. He may not still be here, but he might. (who had been)

Mine is the same as your problem. If I were to return to school and join an English Grammar course, I would have a great deal of difficulty applying rules. Your 'advantage' in pre-learning English becomes a bit of a handicap. Bear with it though, because it is worth it in the end.

CalifJim · Answer

DarkiumI looked at my watch and realized that we ___ (sit) on that train all day.

You say they still ARE sitting on that train RIGHT NOW. How do you figure that? I see nothing in that sentence that suggests anything about 'right now'. 'looked' and 'realized' are past tenses, so there's no 'right now' going on there. Another clue is "that" in "that train". It's not "this train"; it's "that train". That also suggests the past. For these reasons, only 'had been sitting' makes sense to me.

DarkiumThey took us to a building site where different companies (operate)

operate; operated; were operating; have operated; have been operating; will be operating

There is nothing in the short part of the sentence you gave us that indicates which of these (above) is the correct answer. They are all possible.

DarkiumThe trafficker introduced us to the foreman in a few words as if arrangements ____(make) in advance.

'had been made' is "more correct" because the arrangements came first and the introduction later. The past can be used as a substitute for the past perfect in many sentences, however, so 'were made' is possible as a "second best" answer.

DarkiumOnly one person a week, only one of those who ____ (be) here for a long time, knew ...

The sentence itself has a rather strange structure. It's hard to see why Only one person a week is sticking out there at the beginning of the sentence. In any case, this is like the first example. You say those persons still ARE "here". Again, I don't see how you arrive at this conclusion. "had been here" is consistent with the rest of the sentence if you don't insist (wrongly) that "those persons" must still be there.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

Are you pulling my leg about your being new to Enlgish? By glancing over your post, I don't see any glaring punctuation and capitlaization issues, and you articulated very well. Congratuations!

Anonymous · Answer

Darkium(Don't know how to call it...)

This should be "what to call it". Not "how". It is a common mistake by speakers of other languages who learn English.

Wilpeter · Answer

AnonymousAre you pulling my leg about your being new to Enlgish?

To whom is your question directed? If to me, I am not new to English. I finished school in 1956.

Anonymous · Answer

wilpeterTo whom is your question directed? If to me, I am not new to English. I finished school in 1956.

I realized you are a "well preserved" native speaker.

I was referring to the original poster.

"Timeline Explanation" needed for different "verb forms"

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions