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Anonymous Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
Which tenses?
Hi teachers.
Which tense or tenses can we use for the blank below?
When most animals encounter their reflections in a mirror, they act as if they ....................... another creature. (see)
saw (simple past)
had seen (past perfect)
see (simple present)
have seen (present perfect)
or other tenses possible?
Some of my friends think that all of them are possible in this context. But I believe that only "have seen" is possible. What do you think?
Which tense or tenses can we use for the blank below?
When most animals encounter their reflections in a mirror, they act as if they ....................... another creature. (see)
saw (simple past)
had seen (past perfect)
see (simple present)
have seen (present perfect)
or other tenses possible?
Some of my friends think that all of them are possible in this context. But I believe that only "have seen" is possible. What do you think?
Top answer
Anonymous as if " as if" is a tricky weasel. It can be seen together with just about any tense in the book. In this respect it is quite different from plain "if".
- Anonymous as if " as if" is a tricky weasel.
- It can be seen together with just about any tense in the book.
- In this respect it is quite different from plain "if".
- Nevertheless, some tenses sound a little better than others within specific contexts.
- I think you've done well to choose 'have seen'.
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2 Answers
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Anonymousas if"as if" is a tricky weasel. It can be seen together with just about any tense in the book. In this respect it is quite different from plain "if".
Nevertheless, some tenses sound a little better than others within specific contexts. I think you've done well to choose 'have seen'. 'see' also works well. The others you list are
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