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Guest Posted 21 years ago
Grammar
Differences in meaning
Hello , I need help . I'm not an English native speaker and I don't understand some measures
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What's the difference in meaning between the use of different tenses in the following sentences :
1.
a.) Come over and see us when our guests leave .
b.) Come over and see us when our guest hav left .
2.
a.) He says he has seen a meteor at some time .
b.) He says he saw the meteor last night .
3.
a.) I was a colleague of hers , working in the same Department , for several years .
b.) I have been a colleague of hers , working in the same Department , for several years .
4.
a.) How far did you get ?
b.) How far have you got ?
5.
a.) She made a fool of herself in public .
b.) She has made a fool of herself in public .
6.
a.) Did anyone go ahead with the project ?
b.) Has anyone gone ahead with the project ?
7.
a.) Did you see the exhibition ?
b.) Have you seen the exhibition ?
Thank you in advance .
.What's the difference in meaning between the use of different tenses in the following sentences :
1.
a.) Come over and see us when our guests leave .
b.) Come over and see us when our guest hav left .
2.
a.) He says he has seen a meteor at some time .
b.) He says he saw the meteor last night .
3.
a.) I was a colleague of hers , working in the same Department , for several years .
b.) I have been a colleague of hers , working in the same Department , for several years .
4.
a.) How far did you get ?
b.) How far have you got ?
5.
a.) She made a fool of herself in public .
b.) She has made a fool of herself in public .
6.
a.) Did anyone go ahead with the project ?
b.) Has anyone gone ahead with the project ?
7.
a.) Did you see the exhibition ?
b.) Have you seen the exhibition ?
Thank you in advance .
Top answer
Except for the second pair, where you have reversed the pattern, the first in each case is simple past and the second is present perfect. Simple past focuses on the event as it occurred at some definite point in time in the past. When we use simple past we are retelling what happened at that time.
- Except for the second pair, where you have reversed the pattern, the first in each case is simple past and the second is present perfect.
- Simple past focuses on the event as it occurred at some definite point in time in the past.
- When we use simple past we are retelling what happened at that time.
- Present perfect focuses on the fact that the even occurred at all, regardless of when it occurred in the past.
- It is a statement of how things are now, in the present, as a result of this past occurrence at some indefinite point in time in the past.
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3 Answers
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Except for the second pair, where you have reversed the pattern, the first in each case is simple past and the second is present perfect.
Simple past focuses on the event as it occurred at some definite point in time in the past.
When we use simple past we are retelling what happened at that time.
Present perfect focuses on the fact that the even occurred at all, regardle
Simple past focuses on the event as it occurred at some definite point in time in the past.
When we use simple past we are retelling what happened at that time.
Present perfect focuses on the fact that the even occurred at all, regardle
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Ok , but I want to inquire about what are the differences between those sentences . What for example it means when someone approaches me and asks :
- Did you see the exhibition ?
...and what's the difference when the person asks :
- Have you seen the exhibition ?
and what about the rest of the sentences ? ?
- Did you see the exhibition ?
...and what's the difference when the person asks :
- Have you seen the exhibition ?
and what about the rest of the sentences ? ?
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In all cases the differences are analagous. There is little to be gained by examining each in detail. Let's just take the latest examples you cite.
"Did you see the exhibition?" asks if you saw the exhibition, i.e., when the exhibition was held, i.e., when it was possible to go and see it. There is an implication that it may no longer be possible to see it.
.......(exhibiti
"Did you see the exhibition?" asks if you saw the exhibition, i.e., when the exhibition was held, i.e., when it was possible to go and see it. There is an implication that it may no longer be possible to see it.
.......(exhibiti
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