Verb Tense

Question

Hello, I'm can't seem to interpret the difference between the following statements-- 1) She started crying. 2) She started to cry.
I believe both are in the past tense. i know that in the first statement cry is in the verb(ing) form and in second it is in noun form. But whats the difference,both seem to give the same meaning to the sentence. What do i don't know?
Also tell me when to use simple past tense and past perfect tense. i know that they have syntactical differences but in general English speaking, I have not been able to understand which tense to when.
thank you.

Englishmaven · Accepted Answer

There is no significant difference in meaning between "She started crying" and "She started to cry." You are right.

As far as the past perfect goes, you can think of it as a previous past. That is to say that it refers to some past event that happened before some other past event. I'll give you an example or two.

When I made so many mistakes playing the piano at the recital, a friend said, "Maybe you should practice before your recitals." I answer by saying, "I had practiced for three hours before I performed at the recital. I don't know why I made so many mistakes."

First I practiced. Then I performed at the recital. The order of events is important, and I want to stress that. It is possible to say the same thing using the simple past in both clauses, but I want to stress the order of events in the past.

When I arrived at my friend Julie's house, no one was there. Later, when I talked with Julie and told her about that, she said I should have called before I went to her house. That's the thing, though. I had called before I went to her house. I spoke with her daughter, who said Julie would be home by the time I got there.

First I called, and then I went to her house.

CalifJim · Answer

Imran Pasha1) She started crying. 2) She started to cry. ... I know that in the first statement cry is in the verb(ing) form and in second it is in noun form.

No. They are both verb forms. In the second sentence "to cry" is an infinitive, which is a verb form.

Imran Pashaboth seem to give the same meaning to the sentence.

Right. The meaning is the same.

Imran Pashawhen to use simple past tense and past perfect tense.

Most people ask about the simple past and the present perfect tense. I'm wondering if that's what you meant. Be patient. It takes some time and practice to master the tenses.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

Imran PashaAlso tell me when to use simple past tense and past perfect tense. i know that they have syntactical differences but in general English speaking, I have not been able to understand which tense to when.thank you.

Indeed, CJ is right that you need some time to master the understanding of present perfect forms in English. In my native tongue there is no such tense like that, so when we translate the present perfect expressions we usually put it in the past tense.

There are some good handbooks where authors provide simple explanation to that. Try A Practical English Grammar by A.J. Thomson and A.V. Martinet (entry 182: The present perfect tense/Form and use). You may find it useful, especially the use-part of that.

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousThere are some good handbooks where authors provide simple explanation to that. ...
entry 182: The present perfect tense/Form and use

Maybe you would like to summarize the main points for Imran Pasha, who asked the original question?

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

CalifJimMaybe you would like to summarize the main points for Imran Pasha

The present perfect tense is a mixture of present and past; it has a strong connection with the present.

1. The present perfect used with "just" for a recently completed action:

He has just gone out = He went out a few minutes ago.

2. The present perfect used for past actions whose time is not definite:

It is used for recent actions when the time is not mentioned:

I have read the instructions but I don't understand them.

Compere with: I read the instructions last night. (time given, so simple past)

3. It may be used to express recent actions which have results in the present:

Tom has had a bad crash. (He's probably still in hospital.)

The lift has broken down. (We have to use the stairs.)

I've washed the car. (It looks lovely.)

Compere it with the actions expressed by the simple past without a time expression; those actions not
normally have results in the present:

Tom had a bad crash. (but he's probably out of hospital now)

The lift is broken. (but it's probably working again now)

I washed the car. (but it may be dirty again now)

4. It can also be used for actions which occurred back in the past provided that the connection with the

present is still maintained, i.e. that the action could be repeated in the present:

I have seen wolves in the forest. (implies that it is still possible to see them there)

John Smith has written a number of short stories. (implies that John Smith is still alive and can

write more)

But if the wolves have been killed off and John Smith is dead you would say:

I used to see wolves here/I saw wolves in that forest once.

John Smith wrote a number of short stories.

(Based on the A.J. Thompson and A.V. Martinet's handbook A Practical English Grammar; fourth edition, pp.
166-167.)

Anonymous · Answer

AnonymousThe lift is broken. (but it's probably working again now)

Correction: instead "The lift is broken" (but it's probably working again now) should be "The lift broke down" (but it's probably working again now). Sorry.

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