2023-01-10 Wednesday
Author: Haitham, Creator and Publisher of Grammar Master
CEFR Level: B1 Intermediate English
Hello, fellow grammarists! I'm Haitham from Grammar Master, your guide on the path to English proficiency. In my interactions with students, I've noticed certain common mistakes that recur in English learning. Today, I want to address one such frequent error and clarify it for you.
The Problematic Phrase:
"It's a long time we don't hear each other."
At first glance, this might seem like a reasonable sentence, but it actually contains a few grammatical inconsistencies that are worth exploring.
Why It's Incorrect:
Tense Agreement: The sentence mixes present tense ("don't hear") with a past expression ("It's a long time"). This creates a mismatch in the sentence structure.
Phrase Construction: The construction of the phrase doesn't align with how English typically expresses the duration of time since a last occurrence.
Correcting the Mistake:
To express this idea correctly in English, we should use the present perfect tense. This tense is ideal for describing actions that began in the past and have implications or relevance in the present. Here are the corrected versions:
"It's been a long time since we last heard from each other."
"We haven't heard from each other in a long time."
These sentences use "It's been" and "haven't heard," which are in the present perfect tense, making them appropriate for the intended meaning. They also follow a more standard English structure for indicating the duration since an event occurred.
Why This Matters:
In English, using the correct tense is crucial for clarity and effective communication. The present perfect tense, in particular, is often used to link past events or actions with the present. Mastering this aspect of grammar helps in conveying your messages more accurately and understanding others better.
Conclusion:
Remember, mastering English grammar is not just about memorizing rules; it's about understanding, applying, and connecting these rules to real-life contexts. My vision for Grammar Master is to create a platform where anyone, regardless of their background, can learn and master these nuances of English grammar.
I hope this post helps you avoid this common mistake and enhances your understanding of tense agreement. For more insights and grammar tips, don't forget to check out our interactive learning materials and engaging grammar lessons on the Grammar Master YouTube channel. Let's continue to learn and grow together in our grammar journey!
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