Grammar

[puzzle]

A,'He didn't show up at the last night party'.
B, 'Well, he used to be a funny guy.'

In this case, can I say " he was a funny guy'?

We are family now.
We are a family now.

Both sentences are right?

Please.

[Anglika]

#1 You can, but it will not indicate the same thing.

He used to be something = at one time [indefinite] he was something

He was something = At that time [definite] he was something.

#2 - the first is a general statement; the second is a specific statement.

[puzzle]

A,' He talked much at the party last night.'
B,' He was/is always like that.'

A,' He didn't talk much at the party last night.'
B,' Really? he always talked/talks much at the party.'

All answers are correct? Please.

[Anglika]

A,' He talked much a lot at the party last night.'
B,' He was/is always like that.' Both can be used.

A,' He didn't talk much at the party last night.'
B,' Really? He always talked/talks much a lot at the party.' He usually talks a lot at a party

All answers are correct? Please.

.

[puzzle]

A,' He didn't talk much at the party last night.'
B,' Really? He always talked/talks much a lot at the party.' He usually talks a lot at a party

I.Can I say,' He usually talked a lot at a party.'?

II.A,' Please come home at ten.'
B,' You know I always come / came home early.' Both can be used? Please.

[tedtmc]

When you talk about 'always' and usually', the present tense is normally used. Especially in this case when something was said only the night before.

He usually talked a lot at a party. - Possible if you are referring to a period in the past.

'You know I always come home early.' - present tense is more appropriate but 'came' is still possible.

not a teacher

[puzzle]

He usually talked a lot at a party. - Possible if you are referring to a period in the past.

You mean it is wrong to use "talked" here?


'I am glad you could come.'
'I was glad you could come.'

I heard the second sentence from an American movie which I forgot the movie name. I am sure the hostess uses "was" not "am" when she finds the vistor she is looking forward to seeing. Why?

Please.

[tedtmc]

You mean it is wrong to use "talked" here?

It is not wrong, it is possible as I said, but not common.

'I am glad you could come.'
'I was glad you could come.'

The 2nd sentence is used to refer to an event in the past.

not a teacher

[puzzle]

'I am glad you could come.'
'I was glad you could come.' The 2nd sentence is used to refer to an event in the past.

Sorry, I still can't catch your meaning. That the hostess finds the vistor is not an event happened in the past, but an event happened in the present. For example: I go to the party you are holding, when you see me, you say," I was glad you could come.' to me?

[Anglika]

'I am glad you could come.'
'I was glad you could come.' The 2nd sentence is used to refer to an event in the past.

Sorry, I still can't catch your meaning. That the hostess finds the vistor is not an event happened in the past, but an event happened in the present. For example: I go to the party you are holding, when you see me, you say," I was glad you could come.' to me?

You would say "I am glad you could come". It is a statement of present feeling.