All About English Creative Writing

[tianzhu]

Hi TAS


This question is from the P3/4 English thread. We’ll appreciate your advice.

Tommy _____________in that cottage before, but now he is staying somewhere else.

(1) had stayed
(2) has stayed

Best wishes

[The Alternative Story]

tianzhu:

Hi TAS


This question is from the P3/4 English thread. We’ll appreciate your advice.

Tommy _____________in that cottage before, but now he is staying somewhere else.

(1) had stayed
(2) has stayed

Best wishes

Hi tianzhu,

For the past perfect tense (had stayed), it is used to indicate that
an action has happened further back in the past compared to
another action in the past.

Eg:

I had done my work before I went out.

- 'had done' came before 'went'. The author did the work
first and then he went out.

For the present perfect tense (has stayed), it is used to indicate
the following:

1) that an action has started in the past and is still
continuing- He has worked on this project since last night and is still unable to finish it.

2) an action has been recently completed- I have just finished swimming my laps.

3) to express an experience - I have been to the Eiffel Tower

4) to express that something has happened in your life
before the present - I have seen that show many times before.

For the above question stated:
-Tommy ______________ in the cottage before, but now he is staying
somewhere else

the answer should be 'has stayed'.

The past perfect tense is not used because in this sentence, there is
no need to differentiate between 2 actions that happened in the
past.

The present perfect tense is used to show that the action of
'staying' has occurred before the present (now).

TAS

[tianzhu]

Hi TAS


Thank you for your reply.

I’d like to further clarify my doubts.

Is it correct to say

He had stayed in that cottage before 2011.

Best wishes

[The Alternative Story]

tianzhu:

Hi TAS


Thank you for your reply.

I’d like to further clarify my doubts.

Is it correct to say

He had stayed in that cottage before 2011.

Best wishes

Hi tianzhu,

It is correct as you are indicating that this action has
happened in the past. If you use the present
perfect tense here, it would seem to indicate
that he is still staying here and has only recently
vacated the place.

TAS

[tianzhu]

The Alternative Story:

It is correct as you are indicating that this action has
happened in the past. If you use the present
perfect tense here, it would seem to indicate
that he is still staying here and has only recently
vacated the place.

Hi TAS

Thank you for your reply.

Is it correct to say?

We have lived there till 2010.

Best wishes

[Herbie]

Hi TAS,


Can continue to provide S&T example/tips? eg both the correct and wrong version

Many thanks!

[The Alternative Story]

tianzhu:

Hi TAS

Thank you for your reply.

Is it correct to say?

We have lived there till 2010.

Best wishes

Hi tianzhu,

It is all right, for this case, as not enough
information is provided, we can use both
the present and past perfect tense.

TAS

[The Alternative Story]

Herbie:

Hi TAS,


Can continue to provide S&T example/tips? eg both the correct and wrong version

Many thanks!

Hi Herbie,

Yes we can and we will do so soon.

TAS

[Herbie]

Hi TAS,


Thanks very much!!!

[The Alternative Story]

Synthesis Tips: 'Had'


- 'Had' acts like 'if'.

- You would have 2 negative statements linked together or 2 positive
statements.

- The sentence structure would be like this:

Had she done her work, she would have been allowed to go out.

Take note that the verb after 'had' must be in the past
participle form and in the following part of the sentence, you
would need to use the verb structure- would + present perfect
tense (have been for eg.)'

Example:

QN: She fell down into the drain because she did not watch
where she was going.

ANS: Had she watched where she was going, she would not
have fallen down into the drain.

COMMON MISTAKES:

1) The child forgets to use the past participle

QN: Unless she does her work, she would not be allowed to
go out.

ANS: Had she does her work, she
would have been allowed to go out. (wrong)

2) The child does not have 2 negative or 2 positive statements linked
together

QN: Unless she does her work, she would not be allowed to
go out.

ANS: Had she done her work, she would
not be allowed to go out. (wrong)

TAS