Present tense or past tense

[Sonubajwa2003]

What always confuses me is whether or not I can use both-present and past tense- in a single sentence? For instance, here's how I'd write the following sentence. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

THe reason I couldn't call you back yesterday was because I've crossed my allocated rate plan limit and I'm afraid I'm going to get a huge phone bill.

Is it correct or incorrect? Please reply

[Alan]

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Hi,

Yes, you can switch from tense to tense within the same sentences because the different actions refer to different times. Let's look at the sentence:

'couldn't' (past) refers to 'yesterday'.

'I've crossed' (present perfect) refers to the situation then and now.

'I'm afraid' (present) refers to now

'I'm going' (present continuous) refers to possible future..

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Sonubajwa2003]

thx