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Introduction to Exercise 4 - Using verb tenses to write about the past
Grammar Explanation

When you write about a past event (an action or condition), you should use a different verb tense depending on the situation you are describing.
•  When you describe a past event that happened or was completed during a specific period or time, use the simple past.
  • Example: In 1990, they came to America for a better life and settled in New York.
•  When you describe a past event that has occurred during a non-specific time, or has continued to the present, use the present perfect or present perfect progressive.
  • Example: Since they arrived in America, they have learned many new customs.
•  When you need to let the reader know that an event had occurred before another past time or event that you mention, use the past perfect for the earlier action.
  • Example: By the time I came to the United States in 1999, I had already learned English.
•  When you describe a past action that was in progress while another action occurred or was in progress, use the past progressive.
  • Example: They were doing well and were becoming comfortable with life in America when suddenly a crisis happened in their life.
•  When you describe a constant condition or state in the past, do not use a progressive tense.
  • Incorrect: They were needing help when they arrived; since then, they manage to improve their lives.
  • Corrected: They needed help when they arrived; since then, they manage to improve their lives.
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What You Will Do

The following passages contain mistakes with the use of verb tenses. If you click on the verb or verb phrase that contains the wrong tense, two choices will appear on the side. Click on the correct choice to insert it in the passage. If you click on the wrong choice, the Answer Box at the bottom of the choices will tell you why your choice is wrong.
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