Could you confirm or correct my definitions and examples?

Question

Hi teachers,Could you confirm or correct my definitions and examples?The present perfect can express actions or situations that have occurred at an indefinite time in the past. a) Sharon has studied Spanish.Because of the tense, the sentence informs on what Sharon has done in the past.____________________________________ The Present Perfect can also express the number of times (occasions) the actions or situations have occurred at indefinite times in the past.b) Sharon has studied Spanish three times.Because of the tense and the adverb of number, the sentence informs on the number of times Sharon has studied Spanish at indefinite times in the past. Should I add 'up to now' at the end? c) Sharon has studied Spanish several times.Because of the tense and the adverb of quantity, the sentence informs on the quantity of times Sharon has studied Spanish at indefinite times in the past. Should I add 'up to now' at the end? ______________________________________ Can I also include this definition for examples 'b' and 'c'?This is only possible with an adverb of number or an adverb of quantity at the end of the sentence.Thanks in advance.

Shawn79 · Accepted Answer

Thinking SpainThe present perfect can express actions or situations that have occurred at an indefinite time in the past.

The Present Perfect starts from a time in the past up to the present. The starting point could be definite or indefinite.

Sharon has studied Spanish. (indefinite starting point)
Sharon has studied Spanish since January 1, 2012. (very definite

)

Using "studied" with a number of times sounds odd because "studied Spanish" suggests studying over a period of time, usually. Your sentences b & c really aren't much different. "Several" is just less definite than "three". Substituting "spoken" for "studied":

Sharon has spoken Spanish three/several times.

Thinking SpainShould I add 'up to now' at the end?

No, it's not necessary since the Present Perfect implies it.

Thinking SpainCan I also include this definition for examples 'b' and 'c'?This is only possible with an adverb of number or an adverb of quantity at the end of the sentence.

Not sure if I understand, but if you want to say that something happened on multiple occasions, then you need such an adverb or adverbial phrase. (x times, often, repeatedly, etc.)

I'm sure you'd like a fresh opinion by now, but I hope you don't mind hearing from me again!

Best wishes TS!

Tenacious Learner · Answer

Hi Shawn,
Thank you so much for your reply.
Fist of all. I have two more definitions to go on with the present perfect. I didn't post all of them together because it would have been too long.

_________________________________________________

Using "studied" with a number of times sounds odd because "studied Spanish" suggests studying over a period of time, usually. Oops! You are right! I should look for different examples. Let's see

How about these ones? They are to be used on the different possibilities that the present perfect has. Though not the ones with 'for' and 'since' yet.
Kate and Sharon are friends. Kate is Henry's fiance.
a) Kate has had dinner with Sharon.
b) Kate has had dinner with Sharon three times.
c) Kate has had dinner with Sharon several times.
d) Kate has sometimes had dinner with Sharon.
e) Kate has had dinner with Henry every week.
f) Kate has had dinner with Henry this week.
_________________________________________________

Your sentences b & c really aren't much different. "Several" is just less definite than "three". Right! I know it. It is just for the students, to give them examples with adverbs of number and quantity, but thank you.
_________________________________________________

Not sure if I understand, but if you want to say that something happened on multiple occasions, then you need such an adverb or adverbial phrase. (x times, often, repeatedly, etc.) YES! Exactly that!
_________________________________________________

I'm sure you'd like a fresh opinion by now, but I hope you don't mind hearing from me again!
No at all.

If you don't mind of course.

Best wishes. Likewise.
TS

Could you confirm or correct my definitions and examples?

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