0
Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

If I have been proven guilty, I will apologize to you.

If I am proven guilty, I will apologize to you.
VS.
If I have been proven guilty, I will apologize to you.

I am sorry about dragging this question here and there, but I am really confused with the two sentences and I also think both sentences are fine to use but some says only the first one is correct. So I need your help and could you tell me what difference there is between them?

Thank you so much as usual and have a good day.
  

Top answer

The point in question is the proper sequence of tenses. The first sentence is correct [present / future]; the second is not, because have been proven is actually a past tense and shouldn't be used with the future.

— Philip

  • The point in question is the proper sequence of tenses.
  • The first sentence is correct [present / future]; the second is not, because have been proven is actually a past tense and shouldn't be used with the future.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

6 Answers
0
The point in question is the proper sequence of tenses. The first sentence is correct [present / future]; the second is not, because have been proven is actually a past tense and shouldn't be used with the future.
0
0
Philipbecause have been proven is actually a past tense and shouldn't be used with the future
Hi Philip..

Have been proven is present perfect, his sentence is fine.
If I am proven guilty, I will apologize to you
0
0
Philip the second is not, because have been proven is actually a past tense and shouldn't be used with the future.
The verb form constructed with HAVE = the third form is generally known as the present perfect; I don't know of any writers who consider it to be a past-tense form. This present tense aspect is frequently used in temporal and condition clau
0
0
fivejedjonThis present tense aspect is frequently used in temporal and condition clauses with reference to future time.
I agree, but have been proven guilty seems to reference the past in the OP's sentence. It suggests to me that he might have already been proven guilty but unbeknown to him.
0
0
Aspara Gus fivejedjonThis present tense aspect is frequently used in temporal and condition clauses with reference to future time.I agree, but have been proven guilty seems to reference the past in the OP's sentence. It suggests to me that he might have already been proven guilty but unbeknown to him.
Indeed. I accept that the present perfect is very often use
0
0
Aspara Gus It suggests to me that he might have already been proven guilty but unbeknown to him.
It is possible that it has started alright, but not necessairly concluded. It might be still going on and yet to be finished, upon which point in the future he'll act accordingly.
0

Related Questions