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#2 (permalink) Sat Mar 31, 2007 21:12 pm verb tense |
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| Yes, your use of the past perfect in that sentence is correct. |
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Conchita Language Coach

Joined: 26 Dec 2005 Posts: 2826 Location: Madrid, Spain
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#3 (permalink) Sat Mar 31, 2007 22:14 pm verb tense |
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i wanted to ask your opinion about a dialoq line. i wrote: CHARACTER 1 Have you ever felt like you try your hardest but it's never good enough? CHARACTER 2 Sometimes but at least I tried. (but i think i should change the "tried" to "try" like this one) CHARACTER 2 Sometimes but at least I try. ---what do you think? should i change it ?... and would it be grammaticaly correct ? i think i'm going to choose "try" because it flows better. |
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Huxley I'm new here and I like it ;-)
Joined: 10 Sep 2006 Posts: 21
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#4 (permalink) Sat Mar 31, 2007 23:10 pm verb tense |
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| More context would be needed to be able to give some sensible advice. The use of the present simple would be appropriate to a general statement, whereas the past simple would refer to a specific, past experience. |
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Conchita Language Coach

Joined: 26 Dec 2005 Posts: 2826 Location: Madrid, Spain
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#5 (permalink) Sat Mar 31, 2007 23:36 pm verb tense |
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character 1 is not really referring to any event. he is not talking about some event in the past. he just feels sad and the other character is trying to console him.
and i thought that "try" flowed better.
and i wanted a second opinion about it. and to know if it was grammaticaly correct or not if i used "try"
so again, not referring to a past event , just sad and the other character tries to console him. |
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Huxley I'm new here and I like it ;-)
Joined: 10 Sep 2006 Posts: 21
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#6 (permalink) Sun Apr 01, 2007 0:01 am verb tense |
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| huxley wrote: |
| and i wanted a second opinion about it. and to know if it was grammaticaly correct or not if i used "try" |
Yes, it is grammatically correct. |
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Conchita Language Coach

Joined: 26 Dec 2005 Posts: 2826 Location: Madrid, Spain
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#7 (permalink) Sun Apr 01, 2007 0:40 am verb tense: 'I could've grabbed it if you hadn't pulled me off' |
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Hi Huxley
How about a slightly reworded version? Your Character 2 could say this: Sometimes, but at least I know I tried.
Amy _________________ "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln |
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Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 8316 Location: USA
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| Get to know vs. get to knowing | Idioms: be on the road |