Present Tense or Past Tense
Moderator: EC
-
- Member
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Wed Jan 31, 2018 2:41 am
- Status: Other
Present Tense or Past Tense
Suppose the school is still going on (10 AM). Should I say to someone "My son doesn't go to school today" or "My son didn't go to school today." The time of speaking is 10 AM.
- Joe
- Admin/Teacher
- Posts: 1797
- Joined: Thu Dec 18, 2003 6:56 am
- Status: Teacher of English
- Location: England
Re: Present Tense or Past Tense
You probably need the present perfect:
My son hasn't gone to school today.
This is typical British English usage. However, I believe Americans might say the same or might say:
My son didn't go to school today.
Perhaps someone else could comment.
https://www.englishclub.com/grammar/ver ... erfect.htm
My son hasn't gone to school today.
This is typical British English usage. However, I believe Americans might say the same or might say:
My son didn't go to school today.
Perhaps someone else could comment.
https://www.englishclub.com/grammar/ver ... erfect.htm
"We are not wholly bad or good, who live our lives under Milk Wood :-| " — Dylan Thomas, Under Milk Wood
eBooks: English Prepositions List | Essential Business Words | Learn English in Seven
eBooks: English Prepositions List | Essential Business Words | Learn English in Seven
-
- Member
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Wed Jan 31, 2018 2:41 am
- Status: Other
Re: Present Tense or Past Tense
Sorry, I have just sent you the same request. I didn't read the notification and reply from you. Thank you for the reply. I prefer to say "My son didn't go to school today" because I am sure he will not go to school. If I say "My son hasn't gone to school today, then there is a possibility that he might go to school. Am I correct?
- Joe
- Admin/Teacher
- Posts: 1797
- Joined: Thu Dec 18, 2003 6:56 am
- Status: Teacher of English
- Location: England
Re: Present Tense or Past Tense
My son isn’t going to school today.
"We are not wholly bad or good, who live our lives under Milk Wood :-| " — Dylan Thomas, Under Milk Wood
eBooks: English Prepositions List | Essential Business Words | Learn English in Seven
eBooks: English Prepositions List | Essential Business Words | Learn English in Seven