The sooner I got the money, the better I would be - Is this Ok?

[Sureshvemuri]

1. The sooner I got the money, the better I would be - Is this Ok?
2. I had been working on "Machine-2" till I left the office, so I could not talk to you - Is this correct?
3. "It will affect"S" our work" - Here, the usage of affect"S" is correct or wrong?

4. I have James finish the job
OR
I WILL have James finish the job.

Are these the proper questions to tell that - "I will get the job done by James" (future tense).

I have more questions to ask.

Thanks,Suresh

[Mister Micawber]

.
These are correct, Suresh:

1. The sooner I got the money, the better off I would be.
2. I was working on "Machine-2" till I left the office, so I could not talk to you.
3. "It will affect our work"-- (I don't understand your question, but the sentence as I have revised it is correct.)
4. I'll have James finish the job.
.
_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Sureshvemuri]

Thanks Macabre!

This is where i am confused.
1. "I was working on "Machine-2" till I left the office, so I could not talk to you. "

Can you please re-write the above same sentence using -Had Been - so that I can understand how I have to use "Had been" and where I should use "Was+working".

If I write - "I have James finish the job", does this tell about Simple Present Tense?
I mean, right now James is at the job.

Thanks,Suresh

[Mister Micawber]

.
I had been working on the machine, but I was finished when you called.
.
_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Sureshvemuri]

Generally, we have to log out of our machines before leaving office. But if we are in a Secured Connection, we can not do that.
So on the next day, we I give the reason why I did not log out of my machine, I write like the above sentence.
"I had been in the VPN (Virtual Private Network) till I left the office. So I could not log out".
Please advise.

[Sureshvemuri]

Sorry, i wrongly wrote your name "Mister Micawber".

[Mister Micawber]

.
No. There is no call for past perfect.

I was in the VPN (Virtual Private Network) till I left the office. So I could not log out.
.
_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's