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Kenny1999 Posted 4 years ago
Grammar

Can I use present perfect tense for something that has happened for quite some time?

I don't know if I have remembered correctly, present perfect tense is often used to indicate the completeness of a recent action. Can I use it to indicate something that has happened for quite some time but the result is still valid today?


For example, now 2022, can I say "I have missed the chance in 2015"? I think I shouldn't put "in 2015" because of the tense "I have", but if that I missed the chance 7 years ago is still affecting me today, I think I should use "I have".... sometimes I have hard time determining whether I should use Past tense or Present perfect, even though I have studied them again and again for long time

  

Top answer

kenny1999 sometimes I have hard time determining whether I should use Past tense or Present perfect, even though I have studied them again and again for long time That's a common complaint. It's not easy to learn how to use those tenses, so don't feel like the Lone Ranger. kenny1999 Can I use it [present perfect tense] to indicate something that has happened for quite some time but the result is still valid today?

— CalifJim

  • kenny1999 sometimes I have hard time determining whether I should use Past tense or Present perfect, even though I have studied them again and again for long time That's a common complaint.
  • It's not easy to learn how to use those tenses, so don't feel like the Lone Ranger.
  • kenny1999 Can I use it [present perfect tense] to indicate something that has happened for quite some time but the result is still valid today?
  • Yes.
  • Glaciers have carved out this valley over the past 10,000 years .
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1 Answers
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kenny1999sometimes I have hard time determining whether I should use Past tense or Present perfect, even though I have studied them again and again for long time

That's a common complaint. It's not easy to learn how to use those tenses, so don't feel like the Lone Ranger.

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