how many errors can you find and correct? if you get the answers right, our webmaster, TimLuo, would love to prepare a big gift for you!! ( Kathy & Glotynn, may i say this is kinda 有獎徵答? )


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There are more than forty presidents of the United States since it has become a country. George Washington had been the first president. He had become the presient in 1789.
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啊!QQQQ, I dont want that gift but I would like to try because I know you are helping everyone imporve the grammar skill and make the site more interesting.

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My answer is:
There are more than forty presidents of the United States since it has become a country. George Washington had been the first president. He became the presient in 1789.


Ps:Click here, you could find out how to say 有獎徵答 in English.

http://okenglish.tw/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=1020&forum=4

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There are more than forty presidents of the United States since it has become a country. George Washington had been the first president. He had become the presient in 1789.
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My try:

There have been more than forty presidents of the United States since it has become a country. George Washington was the first president. He became the president in 1789.

Dear Kathy,

Thanks! Actually I am not that good at grammar, but i do enjoy learning with everyone. ^_^


Hi Elinor,

Good job!! But there is one mistake still waiting for you to point out. Gogogo!!

Rachel,

Thank you very much. Grammar is my weakness in learning English!


"George Washington is the first president." Is that correct?

Thanks.

Elinor,

"George Washington was the first president." The first time you made it right already. ^_^

Here is a clue for you : Which tense should be used with "since"??


Rachel

George Washington is the first president of the USA.
George Washington was the first president of the USA.

The above two sentences are both correct. The present tense is used for a fact that doesn't change with time. However, one can use past tense for this sentence to agree with the background time base of a story or an article.

Happy learning!

Can I call it as "Historical Present"?

ex: Lincoln stands with bowed head. He looks up and begins to speak. It is evident he is under the sway of a strong emotion.

Thanks!! I have learned one more!! ^_^

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There are more than forty presidents of the United States since it has become a country. George Washington had been the first president. He had become the presient in 1789.
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alright, my turn to try....

There were more than forty presidents of the United States since it had become a country. George Washington was the first president. He became president in 1789.

Quote:

Rachel,

The author is making a simultaneous narration so that the readers can get a vivid impression as if the author were on the spot reporting the event.

Yes, you can refer to this usage as historical present. Historical present means the present tense used in the narration of events set in the past.