Why do we use the past in the sentence "It's time we got back there." ?  I would have used the present and I would have said "It's time we get back there".
120585
It's time something was done about the problem.   It is a sentence from Murphy's "Grammar". Using was confused me, for me it should be were. It looks like this clause is in subjunctive mood&mdash;something that is unreal / imaginary, and in that case you always use were for any object.  Unless, of course, it is not the subjunctive mood, what would knock me down.
78399
There are several reasons proposed for the collapse of the bridge.   Is this present simple tense or the present perfect tense? I thought it might be the latter since there is a retrospective aspect to the sentence. However, I am quite unsure.
120502
A colleague asked me which of these sentences is correct, or if they are both correct which is better to use.   Are you using the current template version? Do you use the current template version?   I recommended using the first sentence but only because it sounds better to me.  Is there anything grammatically wrong with the second sentence or does it convey a different meaning to the first sentence?
35594
When you returned, I had been at home since 10 minutes.   When you returned, I had been at home from 5 minutes.  In such sentences, is it correct to use since or from? When since is used?
119435
I learned that the historical present may be used to create an effect of immediacy in narratives. I have a question about the historic present tense. Why don't we use the progressive tense instead of the simple present tense?   ※My English skill is poor, so my question might sound rude. But I don't mean to offend anyone. I'd be glad if someone could reply to my question.
60908
As I know we can use both structures to talk about past ability , but is there any difference between them?  A. He could climb the mountain  B. He could have climbed the mountain
1606
Which tense should I use in the following example?  Is it OK to use the Past Perfect Continuous if I want to explain to someone that I had been working in some company for 10 years, without mentioning - before I finally quit, or maybe I should use the Past Perfect - I had worked in that company for 10 years… but also without mentioning - before I moved to… ???  Thanks!
48403
I have a doubt in the below sentence whether to use Past Simple or Present Perfect Tense,     We have despatched the parcel yesterday.      We despatched the parcel yesterday.   I know the second one is right because the parcel was despatched yesterday which means the action is completed (Past Tense).  But what about the first sentence, because the parcel was despatched, however the parcel is not reached the customer yet. So is it ok to use "have despatched" in the sentence (Present Perfect) in the mail to inform the customer?
59132
What is the difference between the three sentences:   If i were to play, i would win the match. (Depicts future tense) If i were to play, i would have won the match. (Depicts past tense) If i were there, i would have helped here. (Depicts Past)   My question is that how do we identify where the past subjunctive is being used and where the future subjunctive is being used?
20219
Is it fine to use recently with the past simple tense in the following sentence?     Did you read any books recently?   Is it grammatically correct?  Or do I have to use:     Have you read any books recently?
67271
When I am using the future tense, why do "while"  and "when" clauses have to be in the present tense?     For instance,       "While I am eating you will be speaking on the phone"   and    "I will be waiting when your plane arrives"   Both sentences are grammatically correct.     But,  doesn't it make more sense to say   "While I will be eating you will be speaking on the phone"  and      "I will be waiting when your plane will arrive."  ?
96795
In 1999, I was living in Cuba.      In 1999, I lived in Cuba.   Do both sentences seem grammatically correct?   My teacher had told that the first sentence, which is with past continuous, is incorrect. I don't know whether or not the first sentence is correct. It indeed seems natural, doesn't it?
13719
When we can use "recent past"? How much past time qualifies for "recent past"?
24216
In Korea, we learned that we should use the past tense when the subject is an historical event, as in "The Korean war broke out in 1950."  However, I think that when the event continues to affect the present (now), we should use the present perfect.  So I think that we can say 'The Korean war has broken out in 1950.'  Am I right?
6420
First, I check that my native language is not English, and the problem described below met on one of the exams.   With this sentence:      "The most important news is that my parents [...] a new restaurant a few   weeks ago."   Is the correct tense to use the Present Perfect (have opened) or Past Simple (opened)?   I know that the word "ago" but rather that time Past Simple, but is it also possible to use the present perfect in some cases?  I would be grateful for clarification.
47977
It's time colleges helped you compare apples to apples. (The Boston Globe)  If the time is a present moment, why does the journalist use &quot;help&quot; in the past tense? Or is &quot;helped&quot; subjunctive?
50883
I'm very confused about tenses.  I have examples in two different situations here. Situation 1: I went to New York two months ago and was talking to someone about it.  A. This is the first time I've been to New York. B. That was the first time I'd been to New York.  Which is correct in a daily conversation?  Situation 2: I'm going to New York next month and talking to someone.  A. This will be the first time I've been to New York. B. This is the first time I've been to New York. C. This will be the first time I go to New York.  Which sentence is appropriate?  According to a grammar article I've read before, I think it says that I can use this sentence in both cases:  This is the first time I've been to New York.  But I'm not sure if this is really so. So I'd like to know which tense I should use in each case. Could you explain it?