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A paragraph in the Past - can Present Simple be used?



 
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weather forecast (phrase 'upper teens') | Help me choose the correct tense (The fireman had saved the house before much...)
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A paragraph in the Past - can Present Simple be used? Sat Jan 19, 2008 15:16 pm  A paragraph in the Past - can Present Simple be used?
 

Hi,

I had a test and the fill-in-the-blanks paragraph (all tenses possible) was something on the lines of (after completion of the verbs I knew):

"I met Gil in the park about a month ago and we talked... I promised I would call him. After about ten days I called him but he didn't answer. I went to see him. His mother opened the door and told me that he had escaped from the poice because he ______(1)_______ (have) many debts. I wish I ___(2)_____ (know) as I think I _____(3)______ (can help) him. Probably it ____(4)_____ (be) too late.

Can I please have your opinion as what would be in 1,2,3, and 4? In particular, in (1) can it be both "had" and "has"?

Thanks.
Wonderful
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A paragraph in the Past - can Present Simple be used? Sat Jan 19, 2008 15:35 pm  A paragraph in the Past - can Present Simple be used?
 

.
I would prefer that you fill in the blanks first, and then I will check your work.
.
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A paragraph in the Past - can Present Simple be used? Sat Jan 19, 2008 15:37 pm  A paragraph in the Past - can Present Simple be used?
 

Okay, here's my guess:

I met Gil in the park about a month ago and we talked... I promised I would call him. After about ten days I called him but he didn't answer. I went to see him. His mother opened the door and told me that he had escaped from the poice because he ______had_______ (have) many debts. I wish I ___had known_____ (know) as I think I _____could have helped___ (can help) him. Probably it ____is_____ (be) too late.
Wonderful
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A paragraph in the Past - can Present Simple be used? Mon Jan 21, 2008 20:52 pm  A paragraph in the Past - can Present Simple be used?
 

Wonderful wrote:
In particular, in (1) can it be both "had" and "has"?

Yes, in number one, either can be used. You would say "has" if the debts are still outstanding, and not paid for, but you would use "had" if the debts have been paid off.
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