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 #2 (permalink) Wed Jan 11, 2006 11:16 am What is the correct answer? |
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What do YOU think is the correct answer?
Alan
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English as a Second Language
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Alan
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| #3 (permalink) Wed Jan 11, 2006 11:36 am Hi |
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Hi
I think number 3/ did you join is the correct answer but my teacher said number 1/ have you joined is the correct answer
So what do you think?
Jupiter |
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 Jupiter
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| #4 (permalink) Wed Jan 11, 2006 12:05 pm Correct answer |
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Hi,
Yes, I would say: When did you join? also
Alan
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Alan
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Posts: 13887
Location: UK
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| #5 (permalink) Thu Jan 12, 2006 4:43 am Why? |
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Hi
My teacher said "1/ have you joined" is the correct answer because he think that in this sentence the asker knows that the listener works in that company so we should use present perfect BUT I don't think so. I think we ask when did you join the company? to know the time when the listener joined it, we don't care whether he/she works in that company or not.
My teacher also said that if we ask "when did you join the company?" it means that we know the listener stopped working in that company, is it right?
Anyway, you agreed to choose "3/ did you join" why did you choose it? Please give me the explanation to ensure it.
Hope to get more help :)
Jupiter |
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Jupiter
I'm here quite often ;-)
Joined: 15 Dec 2005
Posts: 215
Location: Cambodia
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| #6 (permalink) Thu Jan 12, 2006 14:56 pm Tense question |
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The question is not asking about working for the company, but about joining the company. You can work for a company for 20 years, but you can't join a company for 20 years.
Joining a company is a finite act of short duration. You make the decision or sign the contract, and it is finished. Joining lasts only a second or two. So the simple present is correct here, because the verb "join" indicates an act that finished in the past and does not continue to the present.
With "work" it's a different story. If the person still worked there, you would use the present perfect. If he didn't work there anymore, you would use the simple past. |
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Jamie (K)
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| #7 (permalink) Thu Jan 12, 2006 16:20 pm Tense |
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| Jamie (K) wrote: |
The question is not asking about working for the company, but about joining the company. You can work for a company for 20 years, but you can't join a company for 20 years.
Joining a company is a finite act of short duration. You make the decision or sign the contract, and it is finished. Joining lasts only a second or two. So the simple present is correct here, because the verb "join" indicates an act that finished in the past and does not continue to the present.
With "work" it's a different story. If the person still worked there, you would use the present perfect. If he didn't work there anymore, you would use the simple past. |
Hi,
I assume you mean Past Simple in paragraph 2.
Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Passive Voice |
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Alan
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Joined: 27 Sep 2003
Posts: 13887
Location: UK
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| #8 (permalink) Fri Jan 13, 2006 5:50 am Tense |
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| Alan wrote: |
| Jamie (K) wrote: |
The question is not asking about working for the company, but about joining the company. You can work for a company for 20 years, but you can't join a company for 20 years.
Joining a company is a finite act of short duration. You make the decision or sign the contract, and it is finished. Joining lasts only a second or two. So the simple present is correct here, because the verb "join" indicates an act that finished in the past and does not continue to the present.
With "work" it's a different story. If the person still worked there, you would use the present perfect. If he didn't work there anymore, you would use the simple past. |
Hi,
I assume you mean Past Simple in paragraph 2.
Alan |
Yes. My goof! Thank you. |
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Jamie (K)
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| English colloquial pairs | Obvious that ... this report |
