Correct some definitions for the present perfect

Question

Hi teachers,Would you tell me if the explanations about the present perfect are fine?Also if the tenses between quotations are in the appropriate tense for the explanations?Use 1The present perfect can express actions or situations that 'occurred' at an indefinite time in the past. Use 2The present perfect can also express the number of times that the actions or situations 'have occurred' in the past.This is only possible with a frequency expression at the end of the sentence.Use 3The present perfect can also express the frequency of the actions or situations that 'have occurred' at indefinite times in the past.This is only possible with a frequency adverb in the sentence.Use 4The present perfect with a present time marker suggests that more actions or situations are possible during the time mentioned.This is only possible, if the period of time in the time marker is not finished at the time of speakind or writing.Use 5Finally, it can also express actions or situations that commenced in the past and 'have continued' into the present. This is only possible with the prepositions since or for and a definite time marker after these prepositions.Thanks a lot in advance

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Use 1: you used the simple past in between the quotation marks -> does that tell you sth? ;-)

also, there's a difference between the usage of the present perfect by americans and britains. americans also use it to express recent events. what you can say is that if the point of time is not important, you could use the present perfect. still, you're on the safe side to use simple past if it's clear that the action is completed.

strictly grammatically speaking: present perfect somehow includes the present (moment of utterance). either by an ongoing action or if e.g. talking about a result.

could you maybe support your uses with examples. then, it's easier to discuss about them... what do you need the rules for?

Tenacious Learner · Answer

Hi Anonymous,

First of all thank you so much for your reply.

What do you need the rules for?

I need them because I'm an English teacher, though I only teach beginners and intermedate students.

On the other hand, I've written a manuscript for many years just for beginners and I often change it trying to make it better from what I learn in my classes.

Use 1: you used the simple past in between the quotation marks -> does that tell you sth?

Yes it does. the action happened in the past.

Could you maybe support your uses with examples. then, it's easier to discuss about them.

Yes, I can.

Use 1

The present perfect can express actions or situations that 'occurred' at an indefinite time in the past.

Sharon has studied Spanish.

Use 2

The present perfect can also express the number of times that the actions or situations 'have occurred' in the past.

This is only possible with a frequency expression at the end of the sentence.

Sharon has studied Spanish a few times.

Use 3

The present perfect can also express the frequency of the actions or situations that 'have occurred' at indefinite times in the past.

This is only possible with a frequency adverb in the sentence.

Sharon has sometimes studied Spanish.

Use 4

The present perfect with a present time marker suggests that more actions or situations are possible during the time mentioned.

This is only possible, if the period of time in the time marker is not finished at the time of speakind or writing.

Sharon has studied a lot of Spanish this week.

Use 5

Finally, it can also express actions or situations that commenced in the past and 'have continued' into the present.

This is only possible with the prepositions since or for and a definite time marker after these prepositions.

Sharon has studied Spanish since 2008.

Sharon has studied Spanish for a few years.

Could the explanations be shorter?

I know it is such a long post, so once again thank you very much for reading me.

Thinking

Simijohn · Answer

very nice work!

Strip Lights

Tenacious Learner · Answer

simijohnvery nice work! Strip Lights

Thank you so much for your 'very nice words'.

Are you a native speaker?

TS

Anonymous · Answer

my problem with you using the simple past in "Use 1" is that it's actually more natural to use this tense there, but you're explaining that the present perfect should be used in this case. That's quite contradictory...

In Use 2 & 3, you could add that it happened on various occasions in a period of time extending up to the present. and then maybe put it closer to Use 5. Maybe change the order, have Use 5 as the first (I think, it's the most important one...)

In Use 5, you could say "it expresses actions..." because there it's not just a possibility (cf. Use 1 where it's more debatable which tense to use). Moreover, you could maybe use "start" instead of "commence" because it's more common and easier for beginners.

Another marker is "until today"

Maybe add the use that an action of the past is now important / its result. e.g. Germany has won the final qualifying match (and is now able to take part in the world cup)

I think it always helps to explain why it's the "present" perfect to understand the concept of this tense and its aspect

Tenacious Learner · Answer

Hi there,

Thank you once more for your reply.

My problem with you using the simple past in "Use 1" is that it's actually more natural to use this tense there, but you're explaining that the present perfect should be used in this case. That's quite contradictory...

I know it is. That's why I've asked about it. Some books use 'occurred' and some others 'have occurred'.

Moreover, you could maybe use "start" instead of "commence" because it's more common and easier for beginners.

For Spanish people it is easier the word 'commence' because it it much closer to the Spanish word 'comenzar'. That's why I use this one.

Another marker is "until today". Thank you. I completely forgot about this one.

Maybe add the use that an action of the past is now important / its result. e.g. Germany has won the final qualifying match (and is now able to take part in the world cup)

You are right. I haven't explained this one. Be sure I will.

I think it always helps to explain why it's the "present" perfect to understand the concept of this tense and its aspect

The present perfect is a grammatical combination of the present tense and the perfect aspect, used to express a past event that has present consequences.

Is that what you mean?

What about this one?

The Present Perfect shows the present situation in relation to a past action. In other words, for the Present Perfect the past is relevant to the present.

Thinking

Holyduke · Answer

I think the most important reason for the usage of present perfect is the present effect the action/event has.

On EnglishPage, I saw them introduce the present perfect tense. For beginners, I think its best to simplify why one uses the present perfect over past simple.

I brushed my teeth two weeks ago. (use the simple past since brushing my teeth two weeks ago has nothing to do with whether I have brushed my teeth today.)

I have just brushed my teeth. (relevant to now, so you can use the present perfect)

With your examples, learning/studying Spanish, are most likely to have a present effect. (Sharon acquired a set of skills that she can use now)

So with experiences and achievements, one is should use the present perfect. (he has won an Olympic medal..., He has been to Egypt...)

With events that started in the past and caused the current situation can also use the present perfect:

Rick is not here. He has already left the office.

You use past simple if there is not a present effect.

Rick left the office early yesterday. (Rick is here today so there is no present connection)

As for the other bits and pieces, use adverbs, prep., and conj. to explain the individual cases. (always, ever, never, already, just, so far, since, for, (not) yet, in the last year, many times(before), after..., XX times, until now...)

Tenacious Learner · Answer

Hi holyduke,

Thank you very much for your detailed reply. It's very well explained.

Don't get lost. Be around.

By the way, I agree with Confucius. Never heard of this one. It's really good.

TS

Correct some definitions for the present perfect

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