mirela.sorina
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present
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the match started/has started at 5 pm/
which one is correct? |
29 Nov 2011
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yanogator
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This is a single occurrence in the past, so it is "The match started at 5 pm".
Bruce |
29 Nov 2011
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ueslteacher
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We use past simple for the action which took place at a stated time in the past, so: The match started at 5 p. m. Sophia |
29 Nov 2011
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w3hw3t
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w3hw3t
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i think it depends on the whole text.Either of them might me i guess | | |
29 Nov 2011
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cagreis
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"started" = Past Simple for definite and finished past actions - we �re always interested in the WHEN |
29 Nov 2011
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mirela.sorina
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how do I know so sure it is past? 5I may be talking at 5.oo pm! |
30 Nov 2011
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Lina Ladybird
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Oh dear, I have accidentally removed my post instead of editing it... I �ll write again later, haven �t got any time left right now, because I must go and teach a bunch of nice adults! ;-)) |
30 Nov 2011
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Apodo
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@mirela.sorina At exactly 5.00pm I would say �The match is starting now �
Any time after 5.00pm (even the next day) I would say:
The match started at 5pm.
If someone arrived while I was watching the match (after 5.00pm) I could say:
The match started at 5pm. (simple past when an exact time is given)
or
The match has started. |
30 Nov 2011
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mirela.sorina
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I agree but if I say just 5 pm, I would not know for sure that is a past; it may as well be a vague period ; |
30 Nov 2011
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yanogator
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But the choices you gave us at the start were "started" or "has started", so it was clearly in the past.
Bruce |
30 Nov 2011
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Lina Ladybird
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@mirela
5 pm is definitely NOT "a vague period" but a certain point in time!
So if it �s lunchtime and you want to say that the football match is in a few hours, you can just use the Simple Present and say: The match starts at 5 pm. (Because it �s a scheduled future arrangement.)
Hope this helps... ;-)
You can also check the following link:
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30 Nov 2011
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