#2 (permalink) Fri Apr 28, 2006 16:54 pm Why do we use past tense? |
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Hi Alexander
You need the simple past tense (convinced) here because of the past perfect (hadn't had) in the second half of the sentence. The witness convinced everyone that he hadn't had anything to do with the crime.
If the second half of the sentence were in the simple past (didn't have), then you could use the present perfect (has convinced) . The witness has convinced everyone that he didn't have anything to do with the crime.
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: 8325 Location: USA
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