we did our homework on the bus

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have you done/did you do your homework?

• Thread starter yuri05
• Start date Mar 28, 2014
• Mar 28, 2014

hi, i find it hard to decide which tense to use when there are no time references. for example, let's say a teacher walks in the classroom and asks his pupils:"have you done/did you do your homework?"which tense should be used in this situation? i'd use the present perfect but i'm not sure. thanks!  

Senior Member

The present perfect makes sense in that situation, but the simple past is also possible. Have you done your homework? Did you do your homework?  

owlman5 said: The present perfect makes sense in that situation, but the simple past is also possible. Have you done your homework? Did you do your homework? Click to expand...

"Have you done your homework?" This happened in the past, but somehow affects the present. "Yes." "You should give it to the teacher tomorrow." In this case, we might assume that the recently completed homework can be handed in now. The completion of the homework affects the present. "Did you do your homework?" This happened in the past. It doesn't affect the present or we don't care how it affects the present "Yes." "Why did you do so poorly on the test?" You are thinking about a past effect of doing the homework.  

Member Emeritus

• Mar 29, 2014

ChainReaction

• Sep 20, 2014

<< Moderator's note: This question has been added to a previous thread. Please scroll up and read from the top. >> Hi, I'm new here, and I have a question about something that was bothering me for quite a long time. What is the difference between the regular form of past tense, and the form 'have past_tense '? To give you the right context, what's the difference between: "Did you do your homework?" and "Have you done your homework?" << New example will need its own thread. >>  

You mean the simple past and the present perfect. Here's a good primer: http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/410/grammar/ppvpast.htm In short, the simple past is used when referring to a situation that is completely in the past (and thus concluded, with little to no relevance for the present situation). The present perfect (which is not a past tense) is used when referring to situations that are still happening and/or have a relevance for the present situation.  

That said, there is often little distinction between these tenses in the everyday use of the language. Using the simple past ("did you do your homework") in situations that actually call for the present perfect ("have you done your homework", because the enquirer wishes to know if the person's homework is now done) is especially common in American English. << Response to deleted question. >>  

"Did you do your homework?" and "Have you done your homework?" For example, if a child wanted to watch TV, mum or dad could say either of them but the second (the one using present perfect) is better because it emphasises that we are talking about now, today. If an investigator was asking about something before the present then the first one is correct. Teacher: On the night before you went on vacation last year, did you do your homework?  

post mod (English Only / Latin)

• Sep 21, 2014
• Mar 2, 2019

[This post and the following ones have been added to a previous thread in which the same question was asked. Please read down from the top. DonnyB - moderator]. Context: I want to ask if my son has done the homework or not Did you do your homework ? Have you done your homework ? Which tense is better and why? Do we need "the" before "homework" in the context?  

Since you live in the UK, use "have you done", since you are interested in the situation in the present. I think AmE usage is "did you do". Don't use "the" with "your". "Your homework" is the usual way of saying it.  

Thanks  

• Jun 25, 2019

A teacher gave a home assignment to his students one week ago. His students show up and say that the homework is still undone. What would they say? - We haven't done our homework. - We didn't do our home work.  

Steven David

Ivan_I said: A teacher gave a home assignment to his students one week ago. His students show up and say that the homework is still undone. What would they say? - We haven't done our homework. - We didn't do our home work. Click to expand...

Parla said: I think the teacher would use the simple past tense ("Did you do your homework?") since the reference is to work assigned the day before and it should have been done the evening before. Click to expand...

Helenejj said: What would the teacher say if the work was assigned three days ago? Click to expand...

Uncle Jack said: The present perfect indicates completion. "Have you done your homework?"asks the same question as "Is your homework complete?" Click to expand...

Helenejj said: Doesn't "Did you do your homework?" indicate that the homework is complete? Click to expand...

• Past Simple — Positive — Make the sentence — Exercise 2
• 1. We / do / our homework yesterday. We did our homework yesterday.
• 2. Lilly / marry / John in 2010. Lilly married John in 2010.
• 3. They / leave / the party early. They left the party early.
• 4. I / cut / the grass on Saturday. I cut the grass on Saturday.
• 5. My team / complete / the task on time. My team completed the task on time.
• 6. Susan / wear / a beautiful dress last night. Susan wore a beautiful dress last night.
• 7. Children / tidy / their room at the weekend. Children tidied their room at the weekend.
• 8. Matthew / ring / you on Monday. Matthew rang you on Monday.
• 9. They / stop / smoking last year. They stopped smoking last year.
• 10. I / continue / my studies in history. I continued my studies in history.
• Past Simple — Positive — irregular verbs — Exercise 1
• Past Simple — Positive — irregular verbs — Exercise 2
• Change sentences into the Past Simple
• Past Simple — irregular verbs — Exercise 1
• Past Simple — irregular verbs — Exercise 2

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• Writing Tips

Grammar: When to Use Do, Does, and Did

3-minute read

• 12th August 2022

Verbs are essential to creating complete sentences, as they help us express physical actions ( She jumped in the puddle) , mental actions ( He thought about puppies) , and states of being ( I am hungry) .

There are several types of verbs that can each be written in different tenses, so they can be tricky to work with, especially if English isn’t your first language . We’ve put together a guide to help you use one of the most common verbs, do , in your writing . Read on below to learn more!

Action Verbs

As the name suggests, action verbs are used to express actions completed by the subject of a sentence. The base verb do is conjugated according to the tense:

1. Present Tense

In the present tense, do takes the form do or does, depending on the subject:

Consider the following examples:

We do our homework every night.

   She does her homework every night.

2. Past Tense

In the simple past tense , the base verb do takes the form did with all subjects:

   We did our homework last night.

   She did her homework last night.

Auxiliary Verbs

Auxiliary , or helping verbs, are used with another base verb to create negative sentences, questions, or add emphasis. Here’s how do should be used as an auxiliary verb:

1. Negative Sentences

Following the same subject–verb pairings introduced above, we combine the auxiliaries do , does , and did with the adverb not to create negative sentences:

   We do not do our homework every night.

   She did not do her homework last night.

Note that we can combine the auxiliary and the adverb to create the contractions don’t , doesn’t , and didn’t . You simply remove the space between the two words and replace the letter o in not with an apostrophe (’).

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Contractions are more common in conversations and informal writing and typically shouldn’t be used in formal writing (e.g., academic or business).

2. Questions

To create questions, the auxiliary is combined with the infinitive of another verb in this way: auxiliary verb + subject + infinitive verb .

●  Simple present questions:

Do they sell children’s books?

Does he speak English?

Note that the third person verb speaks isn’t spelled with the s when paired with the auxiliary to form a question.

●  Simple past questions:

Did you buy anything at the bookstore?

Did he learn how to speak English?

Note that did indicates the past tense, so the main verbs don’t also take the past tense (i.e., bought and learned ).

3. Emphasis

In positive sentences, we can also combine the auxiliaries do , does , and did with the main verb to emphasize that something is true:

   We do sell children’s books.

   He did learn to speak English.

Try saying these sentences aloud and adding emphasis to the auxiliary terms with your tone. It adds a dramatic effect!

Proofreading and Editing Services

Hopefully, this guide will help you feel more confident when using different forms of the verb do in your writing. If you’re still learning or want to be sure your work is error-free, our editors are ready to help. You can upload a free trial document today to learn more!

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“On The Bus” or “In The Bus”: A Preposition Guide With Examples

Marcus Froland

March 28, 2024

Have you ever found yourself scratching your head over the right words to use when talking about where you are or where you’re going? You’re not alone. The English language can be a tricky beast, especially when it comes to prepositions . These tiny words hold the power to change the meaning of your sentence entirely. And yet, they seem so simple.

Today, we’re zeroing in on a common conundrum that puzzles even seasoned speakers: Do we say “on the bus” or “in the bus”? It’s these small details that can make a big difference in our daily conversations and writing. By breaking down the usage rules and examples, we’ll clear up this confusion once and for all. But here’s where things get interesting – what if I told you there’s more to it than just memorizing rules?

When talking about riding a bus , English speakers prefer the phrase “on the bus” . This is because you are physically on top of the seats and not enclosed within walls like in a room, which is when “in” might be more appropriate. However, when discussing being inside the vehicle without specifying the action of riding, both “in” and “on” can technically be correct. Yet, for clarity and common usage, stick with saying you are “on the bus” when referring to using this mode of transport. This simple rule helps keep your English natural and easy to understand.

Understanding Prepositions in the Context of Transportation

When it comes to English language usage and transportation prepositions , the difference between “on” and “in” can significantly alter the meaning conveyed. While figuring out how to navigate various situations using the correct propositions can be challenging, mastering it will have a profound impact on your ability to communicate effectively.

Let’s take a detailed look at when to use “on” and “in” with different modes of transportation:

To dive deeper, it’s essential to understand historical trends and common English language usage . While both “in the bus” and “on the bus” are correct from a grammatical standpoint, you’ll find that “on the bus” is much more prevalent in everyday conversation. It’s a nuanced difference, but it’s one that can enhance your communication effectiveness in discussing transportation.

You might say you’re “in the bus” if you’re highlighting your physical location within the bus. However, “on the bus” typically implies you’re a passenger currently on a journey. It’s a subtle difference, but it matters.

• Remember to use “on” for larger vehicles or when you’re a passenger on a journey.
• Use “in” for smaller vehicles or to emphasize the enclosed space.
• Choose “by” to discuss how someone is traveling to a specific place.
• Utilize “at” or “by” the bus when referring to your location near the bus itself.

Understanding these on vs. in prepositions will allow you to articulate your transport-related experiences with precision, just like a native speaker!

When to Use ‘On’ for Large Transport Vehicles

Navigating the correct preposition when discussing travel can be quite the journey in itself. You’ve probably found yourself pondering whether you’re ‘on the train’ or ‘in the train’ as you relay your daily commute details. The rule of thumb is simple – think about the vehicle’s size and your mobility within it. For larger transport vehicles , where moving around and walking down aisles is the norm, ‘on’ is your go-to preposition.

Examples of ‘On’ With Buses, Trains, and Planes

Let’s illustrate this with some common scenarios. Picture yourself stepping onto a city bus, finding a seat among others, perhaps standing if it’s crowded – in this instance, you’re on the bus . Similarly, when you board a train for a cross-country adventure, enjoying the freedom to visit the dining car or stretch your legs, you’re on the train . And of course, when travelling by air, from the moment you ascend the jet bridge until you disembark, you’re comfortably on the plane . These are all on the bus examples reinforcing the notion that the size and the allowance for movement within these large transports warrants the use of ‘on’.

Exploring ‘On’ in Recreational Vehicles and Watercraft

This concept extends beyond the daily grind to leisure activities as well. Whether you’re revving up a motorcycle for a scenic ride or strapping on a life jacket to paddle a canoe, the prepositions for sports equipment like these remain consistent with the principle. Here’s a snapshot of where ‘on’ anchors itself in recreation:

• Setting off on a road trip on recreational vehicles like motorcycles or ATVs, where you straddle the seat
• Slicing through waves while standing firm on watercraft such as surfboards or paddleboards
• Cruising along the coast, on a windsurf or jet-ski, feeling the rush of freedom
• Embracing winter’s chill on snowmobiles, feeling the crisp air as you traverse snowy landscapes

Riding on watercraft or sports equipment doesn’t enclose you within walls, instead, it’s all about the open-air experience – wind against your face, control at your fingertips, and yes, that includes the freedom to bail into the water if need be!

When you talk about transportation in these terms, it brings a clear picture to mind—a surfer is not inside the wave but on the surfboard. You wouldn’t say you’re in a skateboard, but rather on it, as you navigate a skate park’s curves and ramps. This preposition paints a picture of active engagement and interaction with your mode of transport, central to these experiences.

Your adventure-seeking spirit likely takes you on recreational vehicles for that next adrenaline rush or a peaceful paddle ‘on’ the river. Whether you travel on daily mass transit or partake in the thrill of recreational transport, this guide aims to ease your mind – and your grammar – as you articulate your travels. So, feel confident the next time you regale your friends with tales of your travels ‘on’ a larger mode of transport.

The Use of ‘In’ for Smaller Vehicles

When you’re maneuvering through urban streets or gliding across a serene lake, the prepositions you use to describe your mode of transport can greatly impact the way your narrative is structured. As language reflects experience, the correct usage of ‘in’ plays a pivotal role in painting an accurate picture of your journeys in small vehicles .

The Logic Behind ‘In’: Cars, Taxis, and Small Boats

The decision to use ‘in’ over ‘on’ comes naturally when discussing travel within the confines of smaller forms of transportation. Imagine you’re in a taxi , trapped in rush hour traffic, the bittersweet hum of urban life buzzing around you. Or picture yourself nestling in small boats , where each stroke of the paddle invigorates your connection to the water. These experiences are characterized by a degree of intimacy with your surroundings, underlined by the enclosure of the vehicle.

Whether you’re dodging potholes in a rickshaw or navigating alleys in a carriage , the preposition ‘in’ dictates a personal space that’s undeniably yours amid the motion.

In this context, ‘in’ doesn’t just signify your physical placement; it acts as a linguistic vehicle that delivers the essence of your individual experience. The usage of ‘in’ brings forth notions of safety, personal space, and sometimes, solitude within the public sphere.

As you converse about your travels or reflect on past escapades, remember that the nuances in preposition usage can evoke vastly different visual and emotional responses. While larger vessels grant you the narrative of movement and communal space, using ‘in’ with small vehicles draws the listener into the cocoon of your personal travel experience.

• Opt for ‘in’ to share tales of intimacy and personal agency within a vehicle.
• When recounting a shared ride, note the difference between ‘getting a ride in a taxi’ versus the more communal ‘on a bus’.

Now that you’ve grasped the nuances of ‘on’ versus ‘in’, you’ll find that conveying your travel stories becomes not just about location, but about the very experience of travel itself. Next time you climb into the tight quarters of a cab or the snug interior of a paddle boat, take a moment to appreciate how the correct usage of ‘in’ does so much more than describe your place—it defines your space.

Rare Exceptions and Special Cases in Transport Prepositions

When diving into the world of transport terminology, it’s essential to recognize that like any language, English has its exceptions in prepositions and special case prepositions . Sometimes, the rules of thumb we rely on bend under the weight of nuance, context, or even regional variations, highlighting the need for a keen understanding of nuanced prepositions in transportation .

Consider the curious case of elevators. Do you find yourself saying “on the elevator” or “in the elevator”? Interestingly enough, both can be correct, depending on the speaker’s intent and regional dialect. The specificity in choice reflects a subtle, yet important, distinction in perceived meaning.

While “in the elevator” can denote a closed space, “on the elevator” might evoke a sense of being part of a moving group within a public space. It’s these small details that enrich our language and scenarios.

Metro systems further illustrate the significance of context. Saying “I’m in the metro” suggests that you’re within the infrastructure of the metro system, but not necessarily aboard a metro car. This distinction can be crucial in conversations regarding location and movement within urban settings.

Moreover, the phrases “on a plane” and “in a plane” both take flight in everyday conversations. While both are commonly used and grammatically sound, the subtle preference may be guided by the context of the discussion, highlighting our inherent flexibility with language.

These intriguing exceptions in prepositions and select contexts reveal the depth and adaptability of English. Whether you’re announcing your journey “on a cruise ship” or recounting a work call “in a taxi,” the prepositions used portray a unique aspect of your experience. Acknowledging these linguistic layers allows you to navigate conversations with the grace of a seasoned traveler, moving through the complexities of language with ease.

• Reflect on the use of ‘in’ versus ‘on’ in everyday scenarios to improve communication precision.
• Notice regional preferences and adapt your language use accordingly to blend in with the local vernacular.
• Keep in mind that context reigns supreme—shifting subtly between ‘on’ and ‘in’ depending on the situation at hand.

Your sensitivity to these nuanced prepositions in transportation enriches your ability to articulate with clarity and cultural awareness—key ingredients to effective communication.

Navigating ‘On’ and ‘In’ with Prepositional Verbs

As you move through your daily travels, the words you choose to describe your actions can make a significant difference. Knowing whether to use ‘get on’ or ‘get in’ not only enhances your English but also accurately conveys your actions when it comes to entering and exiting transport . Whether you’re preparing for a daily commute or setting off on a leisurely weekend adventure, understanding these prepositional verbs is key to effectively get on transportation or get in vehicles .

‘Get on’ vs ‘Get in’: Entering and Exiting Different Modes of Transport

Consider how you describe boarding a bus. Do you ‘get in the bus’ or ‘get on the bus’? This seemingly simple choice of preposition is influenced by the type of vehicle and the nature of the interaction you’re having with it. Here’s a guide to help you figure out when to use which preposition for common modes of transport:

Understanding the distinctions between ‘get on’ and ‘get in’ can significantly clarify your experiences of entering and exiting transport . It’s more than just a grammatical formality—it’s about painting a clear picture of your actions and interactions with these vehicles.

If someone tells you to “get on the bus”, visualize stepping up into a communal space where you can navigate freely. Conversely, if you’re advised to “get in the car”, think of slipping into a more personal, contained area.

• Getting on suggests an openness and indicates a larger, shared space.
• Getting in implies intimacy, entering into a space that’s more private and compact.

Whether you’re talking about the ease of ‘getting on a plane’ or the comfort of ‘getting in a taxi’, these prepositional phrases help others understand the nature of your journey. By mastering the use of ‘get on’ and ‘get in’, you effectively communicate how you navigate the world of transportation—ensuring that every ‘entering and exiting transport’ story you tell is captivating and precise.

‘By the Bus’ and ‘At the Bus’: Other Prepositions Made Simple

While the distinctions between ‘on’ and ‘in’ take the spotlight in transportation lingo, don’t overlook the subtleties of location-based prepositions like ‘by the bus’ and ‘at the bus’ . These unspoken heroes of language provide vital context, sketching out relational and locational nuances. Whether you’ve arranged a rendezvous ‘by the bus’ or you’re sending a quick text to say you’re ‘at the bus’ , these prepositions act as the GPS of grammar, directing others to your precise spot in the world.

Imagine you’ve found an excellent spot for lunch near where the buses line up, and you tell your friend, “Let’s meet by the bus.” That simple preposition ‘by’ does double duty—it conveys proximity and location with such casual precision, enabling your friend to find you amidst the hustle and bustle. Conversely, declaring “I’m waiting at the bus” signals a more specific, stationary position. You’re not just near the bus; you’re at the hub where the wheels of transit life spin.

Within these two phrases lie worlds of context, making them indispensable in our everyday communication. Keep prepositions ‘by the bus’ in your back pocket for those times when you’re pinpointing your whereabouts or guiding someone close. And when you anchor yourself ‘at the bus’ , it’s clear you’re rooted at the heart of the action, ready for the journey ahead. You convey more than just a spot on the map—you give a sense of purpose and place, all with a simple ‘at’ or ‘by’.

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