SKILL 35: USE THE CORRECT TENSE WITH TIME EXPRESSIONS
Often in written expression questions on the TOEFL test, there is a time expression that clearly indicates what verb tense is needed in the sentence.
• We moved to New York in 1980.
• We had left there by 1990.
• We have lived in San Francisco since 1999.
In the first example, the time expression “in 1980” indicates that the verb should be in the simple past (moved). In the second example, the time expression “by 1990” indicates that the verb should be in the past perfect (had left). In the third example, the time expression “since 1999” indicates that the verb should be in the present perfect (have lived).
Some additional time expressions that clearly indicate the correct tense are ago, last, and lately.
• She got a job two years ago.
• She started working last week.
• She has worked very hard lately.
In the first example, the time expression “two years ago” indicates that the verb should be in the simple past (got). In the second example, the time expression “last week” indicates that the verb should be in the simple past (started). In the third example, the time expression “lately” indicates that the verb should be in the present perfect (has worked).
Video Pembahasan
