0
Pleasehelp Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Multiple meaning sentences?

Wow, how did you find me?

I ran into David the other day and he said you've played here a lot so I decided to stop by. Or

I ran into David the other day and he said you played here a lot so I decided to stop by.

Which is the correct form and if both are ok do they have different meanings? Please explain!
  

Top answer

Both are correct, but I would choose the second one. The most natural backshift of He says you play here a lot is He said you played here a lot . CJ

— CalifJim

  • Both are correct, but I would choose the second one.
  • The most natural backshift of He says you play here a lot is He said you played here a lot .
  • CJ
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.

10 Answers
0
Both are correct, but I would choose the second one.

The most natural backshift of He says you play here a lot is He said you played here a lot.

CJ
0
0
You've been working late for the past two weeks.

I thought present perfect tense isn't supposed to have specific times?
0
0
pleasehelpI thought present perfect tense isn't supposed to have specific times?
That's correct, but a for phrase does not express a definite (point in) time. Here is the kind of sentence to avoid:

*You've been working late last Monday.
*You've arrived at work late yesterday.
*Robert has arrived at 4 o'clock.
0
0
What about:

My car has broken down three times this week.

This week sounds pretty specific to me.
0
0
What about:

My car has broken down three times this week.

This week sounds pretty specific to me.

How is last week more specific than this week? Why is last week not allowed and this week correct?
0
0
pleasehelpWhy is last week not allowed and this week correct?
There is a break in time between last week and the time of utterance of this sentence. The sentence is being uttered during this week, so in the case of this week there is no gap.

If there's not a time gap, you're not really using a definite time in the past
0
0
I see your emphasis on the past. I think I'm getting it. So these sentences are ok then:

I've been calling you the whole day today.

I've been calling you since 6:00 AM this morning.
0
0
pleasehelpSo these sentences are ok then
Yes. They're fine.

A since-clause simply limits the time period (ending at the present moment, as usual) in which the event occurred, so it's always acceptable to use a since-clause with a present perfect tense.

I've been calling you. (from the infinite past to the present moment)
0
0
CalifJim
pleasehelpSo these sentences are ok then
Yes. They're fine.

A since-clause simply limits the time period (ending at the present moment, as usual) in which the event occurred, so it's always acceptable to use a since-clause with a present perfect tense.

I've been calling you. (from the i
0
0
If it's got an -ing you can add the designator 'continuous', but the basic principle about definite and indefinite times applies in either case. My last two examples were not 'continuous' just to show you exactly that.

CJ
0

Related Questions