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The last time I've been there was when we collected the documents from them.The last time I've been there was yesterday when we collected the documents from them.Are they right?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Both are fine.

Avangi · Answer

AnonymousThe last time I've been there was when we collected the documents from them.

The last time I've been there was yesterday when we collected the documents from them.I may be wrong, but I have a problem with "The last time I've been there." I'd use simple past, or past perfect.

It's been six years since I've been there.

The latest I've been there was in October. (latest in the season)

The last time I was there was when we etc.

Things have changed since the last time I was there.

I visited Boston last month. The last time I had been there was in 1980.
(This means the last one prior to the one mentioned.)

The last time I was there was when we collected the documents from them.

The last time I was there was yesterday when we collected the documents from them.

...I have no problem with "times" in the plural:
The last [few] times I have been there, the weather has been terrible.

People ask casually, "When's the last time you've been there?" But I don't think it's correct.

It's probably just me. I'm okay with "When's the last time you've been drunk?"

The thing that bothers me is referring to the specific time. (this time; that time)

(I'll figure it out!) (The "I've been there" clause has an unusual function in the sentence.)

Anonymous · Answer

The simple past tense, here, pinpoints the moment of my having been there in the past whereas the present perfect means that I'm still alive and there is a possibility of my being there again, now or in the future.

Anonymous · Answer

Mr. Avangi,

What about this sentence?

I've done that once when i needed to buy some stuff at the store.

Thanks

Avangi · Answer

Hey, I'm struggling with this!

AnonymousI've done that once when i needed to buy some stuff at the store.

It's bothering the heck out of me, and I can't figure it out!

I don't like it. I'd say, "I did that once," or "I had done that once."

But I have no problem with habituation:
"I've done that once or twice when I needed to buy some stuff at the store."

Go figure!

I'm okay with "This is the last time I've told you!" (This is the last time I'm telling you!)

How many times have you done that? (reply) I've done it once. This is the first time I've [ever] done it. Okay.
But I'm not referring to that time specifically in any way.

Correct

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