Example

EXAMPLE

August 2000: Verb Forms

"English usage is sometimes more than mere taste, judgment, and
education-- sometimes it's sheer luck, like getting across the
street." (E.B. White)

Choosing appropriate verb forms to fit context is often as much a matter of the sense of time being expressed as it is of grammar.

Original	Revised
They were friends with Ralev for many years.	They had been friends with Ralev for many years.
She laughed, and her beautiful, white teeth brightly shined.	She laughed, and her beautiful, white teeth shone brightly.
It was better if a bomb had blown it up during the war.	It would have been better if a bomb had blown it up during the war.
His anxiety for Stefan prevented him to meet her.	His anxiety for Stefan prevented him from meeting her.
It was the most horrible frame of mind he has ever been in.	It was the most horrible frame of mind he had ever been in.
How many relatives and friends did they lose in a few months!	How many relatives and friends had they lost in a few months!
She would study medicine and would become a great surgeon like her father had wanted. Then he may would rest in peace.	She would study medicine and would become a great surgeon like her father had wanted. Then he might rest in peace.
Maria Luisa stopped to cry.	Maria Luisa stopped crying.
She would hope for a while and after that she would marry someone, blaming him to betray her.	She would hope for a while and after that she would marry someone, blaming him for betraying her.
He could hardly stood on his legs.	He could hardly stand on his legs.
Stephan was startled, and the sacks prevented him to stretch his hands.	Stephan was startled, and the sacks prevented him from stretching his hands.
That saved them the trouble to carry the wheelchair up and down the stairs.	That saved them the trouble of carrying the wheelchair up and down the stairs.

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