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Thread: Tenses

  1. #1
    Fourrier is offline Newbie
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    Default Tenses

    Choose the correct answer
    A few years ago, industrial gas emissions…. strictly regulated.
    (A) were
    (B) have been
    (C) would be
    (D) will be

    Justification: the tense is not important with present perfect

    Is my reasoning true?

  2. #2
    nado92 is offline Member
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    Default Re: Tenses

    Quote Originally Posted by Fourrier View Post
    Choose the correct answer
    A few years ago, industrial gas emissions…. strictly regulated.
    (A) were
    (B) have been
    (C) would be
    (D) will be

    Justification: the tense is not important with present perfect

    Is my reasoning true?
    Were is right because of ago.

  3. #3
    Fourrier is offline Newbie
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    Default Re: Tenses

    ago is always with the simple past or it can not be used with the present perfect?

  4. #4
    Mehrgan's Avatar
    Mehrgan is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Tenses

    Quote Originally Posted by Fourrier View Post
    ago is always with the simple past or it can not be used with the present perfect?


    ***not a teacher***
    You may see that used with a present perfect. However, it refers to a simple activity finished in the past.

    "I've known her since three years ago."

  5. #5
    tedtmc is offline Key Member
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    Default Re: Tenses

    not a teacher

    The time is stated - a few years ago.
    Therefore, it has to be in the past tense.

  6. #6
    tedtmc is offline Key Member
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    Default Re: Tenses

    not a teacher
    Quote Originally Posted by Mehrgan View Post
    ***not a teacher***
    You may see that used with a present perfect. However, it refers to a simple activity finished in the past.

    "I've known her since three years ago."
    The activity started in the past and continues to the present. Thus, the present prefect tense is used.

  7. #7
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    Default Re: Tenses

    Quote Originally Posted by tedtmc View Post
    not a teacher


    The activity started in the past and continues to the present. Thus, the present prefect tense is used.

    Thanks,
    However, I wanted to mention that it's also possible to have "ago" with Present Perfect, though it only refers to the starting point...

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