Dear Grammarians.
My simple quiz has given us trouble. I need more replies to
make a valid point, so let me say it another way. There are four pairs below.
They need four 'X's, one for each pair. If you are moved to check more
than four, note that there is no way I can tally such
equivocation.
Context should not matter since the first verb is the same for each
pair.
( ) They are amazed. They
never heard of this song.
( x ) They are
amazed. They have never heard of this song.
( ) They were amazed. They
never heard of this song.
( x ) They
were amazed. They had never heard of this
song.
( x ) John
is upset because his application was turned down.
( ) John is upset because his
application has been turned down.
( x ) John was
upset because his application was turned down.
( ) John was upset because his
application had been turned down.
The sequence: Click on "reply". Then insert four 'X's (and do not
worry about spacing; let the chips fall). Then click on "send" and away it will
go.
Send it all back to [log in to unmask] if you please,
not to the listserv. We don't want to clog the pipe.
.brad.sun.10feb08.
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