grammar

Anonymous I had been to France two years ago

We (almost) never use a present perfect with a past time point.

fivejedjonWe (almost) never use a present perfect with a past time point.

fivejedjon, would you please be so kind and tell me when this rule doesn't apply? Your little "almost" made me curious.

Perfect Strange.fivejedjon, would you please be so kind and tell me when this rule doesn't apply? Your little "almost" made me curious.

1. I have learnt from bitter experience that someone will always produce a valid counter-example if I use an unqualified 'never' about any point of grammar..
2. In informal conversation, people not infrequently run two ide

fivejedjonIn informal conversation, people not infrequently run two ideas together. - I have seen John last year - I have seen John + I saw John last year.

Thanks. Well, I dare say this sounds like a... mistake....

Perfect StrangerWell, I dare say this sounds like a... mistake....

It would be considered a mistake in written English. It frequently passes unnoticed in speech.

fivejedjonIt would be considered a mistake in written English. It frequently passes unnoticed in speech.

I believe descriptive grammarians would have something to say here... but sine I support a more prescriptive approach, I'll stick to the old-as-the-world rule: "don't use present perfect with expressions such as last year"

Thanks fivejedjon