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Common English Error - Verbs: Past Time Reference

Common English Errors of Local Students

Author of Basic Grammar In Context - Li Po Lung
Instructor of HK University of Science & Technology

Verbs: Past Time Reference
The errors of local students can be categorised as follows:

(1) Use of simple present instead of simple past
  Examples
  Having worked overnight, I feel very tired. (felt)
  I sit for the A-level examination in 1999. (sat)
     
(2) Use of past perfect instead of simple past
  Examples
  When I studied in the U.K., I had been a hard-working student. (was)
  The Chinese government had introduced the open-door policy in the 1980’s. (introduced)
     
(3) Use of simple present instead of present perfect
  Examples
  The economy of Hong Kong becomes worse over the last few years. (has become)
  In recent years, chatting on the ICQ gets more and more popular. (has got)
     
Exercise on Verbs
Identify the mistake in each of the sentences below, and correct it.
  1. As I mention before, online shopping will replace the traditional form of shopping in 20 years’ time.
  2. I had been sad because I failed the final examination.
  3. Recently, privacy becomes a controversial issue in the territory.
  4. In the past two decades, the standard of English declines a lot.
  5. I still not finish the project yet.
     
Suggested Answers of the Exercise.
  1. As I mentioned before, online shopping will replace the traditional form of shopping in 20 years’ time.
  2. I was sad because I failed the final examination.
  3. Recently, privacy has become a controversial issue in the territory.
  4. In the past two decades, the standard of English has declined a lot.
  5. I have still not finished the project yet.