| Former-Teacher | Date: Wednesday, 08.12.2010, 08:51 | Message # 1 |
 Dean
Group: Admins
Messages: 504
Status: Offline
| Dear Netters!
Sometimes mistakes occur in compound sentences with the misleading conjunction 'since'.
For example:
But...as for me, being honest, I usually sleep less than 4 hours a day and when I'm totally exhausted (this is my normal state since I've entered the RSU), I just close my eyes and sleep no matter what is going on around.
The underlined clause contains a grammar mistake. The correct version is to use the Past Indefinite (Past Simple) tense form: ...since I entered the RSU...
Because it means ....the moment/time that I entered the RSU.
The Present Perfect is a must when the clause indicates the time period which has not finished yet, i.e. 'since' means 'still now/because/as', for example:
'Since I have been in RSU for the last three years, I feel I am tired....'
Look at the additional examples:
'Since I was eight, I started going to the boxing club'.
I have been learning English since I was 14.
'Since I haven't understood what you have said, I think you must explain again'
We have been friends since childhood.
I mean we have known each other for so long...
Last! Pay attention to the commas:
- no comma if the sentence starts with the main clause
- a comma when the sentence starts with the subordinate clause.
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