Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[hela]

Dear teachers,

Could we say:

1) a) To set up a radio programme ?
b) To participate in the programme planning ?
I'm sure you've got more idiomatic expressions for me.

2) by the time sthg happens = before sthg happens ?
Is it possible to use the present simple with "by the time", or should it be always followed by a perfect aspect?

3) to be have/done with a task = to finish ?
(I�m not talking about the expression �to be done away with a task�)
ex: When I'm done with (= I have finished) my work... ?

All the best,
Hela

[CP]

1) a) To set up a radio programme ? OK. (Programme is British; program is American English.) Or: To create, develop, devise, design, or fashion a radio program.
b) To participate in the programme planning ? OK. Or: To participate in planning the program.

2) by the time sthg happens = before sthg happens ? Yes.
Is it possible to use the present simple with "by the time", or should it be always followed by a perfect aspect? Either is correct:

By the time I get to Phoenix, she'll be sleeping.
By the time the Japanese Army invaded Nanking, half the population had already fled.

3) to be have/done with a task = to finish ?
People use the expression. I have finished writing is correct. I am done writing is not correct but commonly said. I am finished with the task is correct. I am done with the task is not correct but commonly said. To have done with the task is also sometimes said, and it's probably correct.
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[hela]

Thank you, CP