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Kooyeen Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

I'd never gotten a package this big.

0 Hi,02br
00I just received a package:02br
01i01b00Wow, what a huge package! 01u00I've never gotten02u00 a package this big.02br
02br
02b
02i
00I have to use the present perfect even though I actually have a big package now. I just got it. And even though I just got it, I can't say "I'd never gotten a package this big" (past perfect).02br
02br
00Now the question is, when should I switch to the past perfect? After 5 minutes? After I have opened the package? After 15 minutes, commenting on the package? Definitely the following day, right?02br
02br
01i01b01u00I'd never gotten02u00 a package this/that big. 02b02i00(this that could depend on weather you still have the package in front of you, maybe...)02br
02br
00Thank you 050010id1
  

Top answer

' 05002br 02br 00Best wishes,02br 02br 00PBF010id1

  • ' 05002br 02br 00Best wishes,02br 02br 00PBF010id1
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3 Answers
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0 Hi Kooyeen, 02br
02br
00I am not sure about when you should use the past perfect or present perfect but if I were you, I would say 'I've never received a package this big (before)!' 05002br
02br
00Best wishes,02br
02br
00PBF010id1
0
0 Hi Kooyeen02br
02br
00In the example given, I don't think I'd be likely to use the past perfect with the word 'this'. The word 'this' carries a sense of nearness whereas 'that' suggests distance. Therefore, 'this' works better with the present perfect ("nearness" in time/something directly tied to the present situation). 'This' is also more likely to be used when you hav
0
0 Hi Amy,02br
00thank you so much. I'm starting to understand that much depends on other things, "this" or "that" for example.01blockquote
01cite10Yankee12cite10'This' is also more likely to be used when you have the package right in front of you and this spacial nearness would also tend to lead people to use the present perfect -- whether

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