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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Parts of speech

Hi,
I have problem in undertanding the usage of have and had in the below sentence.
The recent results in company have had a positive effect on employees.
  

Top answer

'have had' is the present perfect construction which, in this case, expresses result. Therefore, we call it the resultative present perfect tense – the result being that employees are left with positive feelings, or a positive working atmosphere, etc. But pay attention when there's an indication of past time in the sentence, in which case you must use a past tense.

— Dokterjokkebrok

  • 'have had' is the present perfect construction which, in this case, expresses result.
  • Therefore, we call it the resultative present perfect tense – the result being that employees are left with positive feelings, or a positive working atmosphere, etc.
  • But pay attention when there's an indication of past time in the sentence, in which case you must use a past tense.
  • NB American speakers prefer a past tense in this case, whereas British speakers usually prefer the present perfect tense, as stated in your example.
  • Regards Jordy
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1 Answers
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'have had' is the present perfect construction which, in this case, expresses result. Therefore, we call
it the resultative present perfect tense – the result being that employees are left with positive feelings, or a positive working atmosphere, etc.

But pay attention when there's an indication of past time in the sentence, in which case you must use
a past tense.

NB
0

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