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Munchun2004 Posted 22 years ago
Grammar
What is still true
Could someone help me with the following senteces?
Mill: when I first came to this country I was amzed by the beauty and culture this country has(had???). Before that, I really didn't know that Malaysia is(was???) one of the raniest countries on earth and I sure didn't know that Malaysia has(had???) this type of special ape called Orang Utan where you can't(couldn't???) see from anywhere else on earth. Before I came here I really didn't think much of this country except that "this country is just another country I had visited in the past" and I sure didn't know that people here are(were???) so friendly and helpful and it is(was???) thier culture that they have(had???) to go to mosque every Friday.
I don't know how to differentiate for the type of sentence like 'Malaysia is/was one of the raniest country on earth' after the past tense verb 'I really didn't'. What we say about Malaysia still hold true and should we change the present tense sentence in to past tense sentece when we tried to relate what we ofund in the past? Headache...
Mill: when I first came to this country I was amzed by the beauty and culture this country has(had???). Before that, I really didn't know that Malaysia is(was???) one of the raniest countries on earth and I sure didn't know that Malaysia has(had???) this type of special ape called Orang Utan where you can't(couldn't???) see from anywhere else on earth. Before I came here I really didn't think much of this country except that "this country is just another country I had visited in the past" and I sure didn't know that people here are(were???) so friendly and helpful and it is(was???) thier culture that they have(had???) to go to mosque every Friday.
I don't know how to differentiate for the type of sentence like 'Malaysia is/was one of the raniest country on earth' after the past tense verb 'I really didn't'. What we say about Malaysia still hold true and should we change the present tense sentence in to past tense sentece when we tried to relate what we ofund in the past? Headache...
Top answer
I agree. This problem is a headache. , continue in the past tense.
- I agree.
- This problem is a headache.
- , continue in the past tense.
- 2) If something which is still true or universally true is reported or known, use the present tense.
- Conclusion: You can use either past or present, and it will be understood to mean the same thing either way!
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4 Answers
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I agree. This problem is a headache.
Two principles contradict one another:
1) After a past tense of verbs of reporting, knowing, etc., continue in the past tense.
2) If something which is still true or universally true is reported or known, use the present tense.
Conclusion: You can use either past or present, and it will be understood to mean the same thing
Two principles contradict one another:
1) After a past tense of verbs of reporting, knowing, etc., continue in the past tense.
2) If something which is still true or universally true is reported or known, use the present tense.
Conclusion: You can use either past or present, and it will be understood to mean the same thing
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Thanks for your reply CalifJim. But could you tell me which one you would choose if you were the person who made that speech? Could you copy and modify the sentences for a bit to show me how you would say it? Thanks in advance.
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When I first came to this country I was amazed by its beauty and its culture. Before that, I really didn't know that Malaysia was one of the rainiest countries on earth and I certainly didn't know that Malaysia had a kind of ape called Orang Utan which can't be seen anywhere else on earth. Before I came here I really didn't think about this country very much except that it was just a country I h
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Thanks for all your reply, CalifJim. You did help a lot. Wish you have a great day.
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