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I hail a cab vs I hailed a cab

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'I hail a cab' is in the present tense, indicating a habitual action or a current action. 'I hailed a cab' is in the past tense, indicating a completed action in the past. So, the choice between the two depends on whether you are talking about something you are currently doing or something you did in the past.

Last updated: March 25, 2024 • 1171 views

I hail a cab

This phrase is correct and can be used to indicate a habitual action or a current action.

This phrase is used in the present tense to indicate a habitual action or a current action of hailing a cab.
  • I race across the street, I hail a cab, and it's about 10:40.
  • So I jump out of bed in my pyjamas, I grab my raincoat, I run downstairs, I run out in the street and I hail a cab.
  • Go home, I'll hail a cab.
  • Last night I tried to hail a cab in a $1,200 suit.
  • I was running late so I decided to hail a cab.
  • Man, try to hail a cab in Manhattan.
  • We don't hail a cab.
  • Two hours trying to hail a cab.
  • Any rarer, it'd walk out of here and hail a cab.
  • No, we don't hail a cab.
  • No, but he said it was heavy, so he offered to hail a cab.
  • - Come on, let's hail a cab.
  • Cabs have been hailed this way for decades because this is the most efficient way to hail a cab.
  • Crew, prepare to hail a cab! Taxi!
  • I was walking down Flatbush Avenue, burning with fever with a non-existent immune system, trying to hail a cab to take me to the emergency room, and I still didn't call her.
  • ? No the party isn 't over 'til we hail a cab and I go home with you.?
  • Well, why hail a cab when I can just get a ride home with you?
  • And yet we don't hail a cab?
  • At least let me hail you a cab.
  • Yes, penelope, You will stand in the cold and hail me a cab.

Alternatives:

  • I usually hail a cab
  • I am hailing a cab

I hailed a cab

This phrase is correct and is used to indicate a completed action in the past.

This phrase is used in the past tense to indicate that you hailed a cab at a specific point in the past.
  • So I hopped on the subway to grand central, And then I hailed a cab from there, And then just now outside I pretended
  • On the way home, I hailed a cab using only the power of my mind.
  • I hailed a cab for him a few times, but he didn't talk much.

Alternatives:

  • I had hailed a cab
  • I hailed a cab yesterday

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