This document contains examples of conversations with errors and their corrections. The errors involve incorrect verb tenses, including using the present tense when the present perfect tense is needed to indicate an action that began in the past and continues in the present. The examples demonstrate how to identify verb tense errors and apply the proper verb form, such as using the present perfect tense with time expressions like "since" that refer to an ongoing situation from the past leading up to the present.

1. Pages 50-51
14. Error Correction

2. Correct any errors in these
conversations. (Some
conversations may not have any
errors.)

3. 1. I arrived in the United States in 2002. Since I
came here, I had trouble communicating with
people because I don’t speak English very well.

4. 1. I arrived in the United States in 2002. Since I
came here, I have had trouble communicating
with people because I don’t speak English very
well.

5. Explanation: Use present perfect in a sentence
with “since.”

6. 2. One of my favorite movies is the film
Australia. I can’t tell you how many times I saw
the movie, but every time I see it, I like it better.

7. 2. One of my favorite movies is the film
Australia. I can’t tell you how many times I saw
have seen the movie, but every time I see it, I
like it better.

8. Explanation: Because I say “every time I see the
movie” in the present tense, it’s clear that I still
see the movie again and again in the present, so
the action is connected to the present.

9. Watch the trailer for Australia onYouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfI4hK9I2k
0

10. 3.While computers have made life easier, they
also made it more stressful.

11. 3.While computers have made life easier, they
have also made it more stressful.

12. Explanation: Action began in the past and
continues in the present.

13. 4. My mother has always encouraged me to do
big things. I wanted to get a job when I finished
high school, but my mother told me to continue
my education. She said I could do more with my
life with a university education. She also
encourage me to get a scholarship to pay for my
education.

14. 4. My mother has always encouraged me to do
big things. I wanted to get a job when I finished
high school, but my mother told me to continue
my education. She said I could do more with my
life with a university education. She also
encouraged me to get a scholarship to pay for
my education.

15. Explanation:The speaker is telling about events
that all happened in the past, when she finished
high school.

16. 4. Since I came here, I have made a lot of
friends, but one person in particular has helped
me a lot. I have met Jennifer at the Learning
Center at the beginning of the semester. Since
then, we got together several weeks just to talk.

17. 4. Since I came here, I have made a lot of
friends, but one person in particular has helped
me a lot. I have met Jennifer at the Learning
Center at the beginning of the semester. Since
then, we got have gotten together several
weeks just to talk.

18. Explanation: I met Jennifer one time at the
beginning of the semester.
We continue to get together now. Use present
perfect with “since.”
Note:The British English past participle of “get” is
“got,” and the American past participle is
“gotten.”

19. 6. One person who has had a great effect on my
life is my father. He owns a clothing store, and I
have worked with him at his store every time I
have a holiday. From this experience I learn a lot
about the business world.

20. 6. One person who has had a great effect on my
life is my father. He owns a clothing store, and I
have worked with him at his store every time I
have a holiday. From this experience I have
learned a lot about the business world.

21. Explanation: “I have worked with him” and “I
have learned a lot from him” are both actions that
began in the past and continue in the present.

22. 6. My parents have always encourage me to do
what I want to do.When I have needed help,
they support me.When I have decided to
become an engineer, they helped pay for my
education.

23. 6. My parents have always encouraged me to do
what I want to do.When I have needed help,
they have supported me.When I have decided
to become an engineer, they helped pay for my
education.

24. 7.The Internet made communication faster and
cheaper.Today you can use programs such as
email or Skype to get an immediate response
from someone, and they are much cheaper than
a telephone call.

25. 7.The Internet has made communication faster
and cheaper.Today you can use programs such
as email or Skype to get an immediate response
from someone, and they are much cheaper than
a telephone call.