an inauspicious beggining - try and fail

[vil]

Dear teacher,

Today morning I got into trouble by my attempt to fill gaps in the following quiz, focusing on the simple present and present perfect tenses.

Things (change) ............. a great deal at Coltech. Inc. When we first (start) ............ working here three years ago, the company (have, only) ........... six employees. Since then we (expand) ...........to include more than 2000 full-time workers.

I tried but failed. Despite my desire and persistent effort I couldn't make it completely.

Things have changed a great deal at Coltech,Inc. When we first started
working here three years ago, the company ..................six employees. Since then we have expanded to include more than 2000 full-time workers.

Would you be kind to tell me the proper decision for the third gap.

Thank you in advance for your efforts.

Regards.

V.

[beascarpetta]

Dear Vil,

When we first started
working here three years ago, the company only had six employees[because a clearly defined point of time in the past is referred to ="three years ago").

regards,
beascarpetta

[amigos4]

Dear teacher,

Today morning (This morning) I got into trouble by my attempt to fill gaps in the following quiz, focusing on the simple present and present perfect tenses.

Things (change) ............. a great deal at Coltech. Inc. When we first (start) ............ working here three years ago, the company (have, only) ........... six employees. Since then we (expand) ...........to include more than 2000 full-time workers.

I tried but failed. Despite my desire and persistent effort I couldn't make it completely.

Things have changed a great deal at Coltech,Inc. When we first started
working here three years ago, the company ..................six employees. Since then we have expanded to include more than 2000 full-time workers.

Would you be kind (kind enough) to tell me the proper decision for the third gap.(?)

Thank you in advance for your efforts.

Regards.

V.

Hi, vil!

Sorry to hear that you had difficulty with your quiz. Next time, give us a 'heads-up' before the quiz and we'll see what we can do to better prepare you.

Beascarpetta's reply is correct. But, please allow me to put on my mentor's cap as I offer you my friendly 'red correction pencil' for some of your phrasing. Please refer to the red comments I made to your original post.

Best wishes!

Cheers,
Amigos4

[David L.]

What was the problem you were having deciding, which is even more important to sort out than just having the right answer.

[amigos4]

What was the problem you were having deciding, which is even more important to sort out than just having the right answer.

Nice catch, David!

Cheers,
Amigos4

[vil]

Hi beascarpetta,

Thank you for your prompt and clear reply.

I am sorry for my lack of knowledge. I shouldn't allow such boring mistake to slip in. I couldn't find the proper place of the adverb "only". My mistaken decision was

...working here three years ago, the company had only six employees.

and as result, the computer answered me "wrong".

Thank you again for your attention and kindness.

Regards.

V.

[vil]

Hi Amigos4,

I am sorry for this "bewitched" morning. Openly, the present day isn't my day. But what are friends for?

Thank you for your readiness to help me. I am enormously in your debt for your precise surgical intervention. Thank you also for your salutary "red correction pencil". Let's hope that you might see the fruit of your mentor's work even at the present my post.

Thank you again for your attention and marked politeness.

Regards.

V.

[amigos4]

Hi beascarpetta,

Thank you for your prompt and clear reply.

I am sorry for my lack of knowledge. I shouldn't allow such boring mistake to slip in. I couldn't find the proper place of the adverb "only". My mistaken decision was

...working here three years ago, the company had only six employees.

and as result, the computer answered me "wrong".

Thank you again for your attention and kindness.

Regards.

V.

...working here three years ago, the company had only six employees.

Vil, fear not, my friend! The mistake you made is so slight that hardly any native speaker would have noticed it! You still receive an 'A' for effort!

Cheers,
Amigos4

[amigos4]

Hi Amigos4,

I am sorry for this "bewitched" morning. Openly, the present day isn't my day. But what are friends for?

Thank you for your readiness to help me. I am enormously in your debt for your precise surgical intervention. Thank you also for your salutary "red correction pencil". Let's hope that you might see the fruit of your mentor's work even in my present post.) at the present my post.

Thank you again for your attention and marked politeness.

Regards.

V.

I certainly understand the impact of a 'bewitched' morning! I like your use of the word! Let's hope that your evening is more heavenly!

Cheers,
Amigos4

[vil]

Hi DavidL,

I am sorry, but the present day definitely isn't my day.In contrast to your other posts this one was written in my opinion in an enigmatic style. Believe it or not but I couldn't catch on the meaning of your post.

Would you be kind enough to rephrase the written from you in the present post in order to be able to catch the point?

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Regards.

V.