Past Perfect Q

Hi,# 1 is basically correct. But for semantic improvement, I would word it: I had two tests in the past two weeks and still have two more to do. The reason is to isolate the past verb (had) to the past time marker (past two weeks). Otherwise, the adverbial phrase will have a semantic effect on the present clause ( I have two more to do). #2 in my opinion is a common mistake and should be avoided

If so:

Ex. In the past two weeks, I have written two tests and have two more to do.

The above example would also be wrong, right?

I had to ask this question because there are too many sites that have this kind of construction (even BBC...).

Note: Your heading says "Past Perfect Q", but there is no instance of a past perfect tense in either of your examples.

CJ

LOL, you are right. I am sorry. I'll edit it properly if I have the power to do so.

So the question is simple past vs present perfect.

Mr. Jim, what's your take on the following?:

(a) In the past two weeks, the sales have gone up.
(b) In the past two weeks, the sales went up.

(b) is the only correct one, right?

However:

(a) Over the past tw

vcolts,
I see where you got confused. I think it may be a matter of interpretation of the time. If you take "in the past two week" as time bygone, it is no doubt a past time marker. For that reason, I, among many who practice American English, would consider the present perfect construction inappropriate. However, in certain contexts where the writers perspective may have the past time marker

vcolts-
(1) In the past two weeks, the sales have gone up.
(2) In the past two weeks, the sales went up.
(3) Over the past two weeks, the sales have gone up.
(4) Over the past two weeks, the sales went up.

All four are correct. The last one is not so good, but possible. (3) is better because "over ..." suggests a continuous action from the pa

Do the examples mean the same thing though? (in pairs)
Isn't there a slight difference in meaning?

(a) means that it's still ongoing (incomplete) while (b) means it's stopped (complete)?

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Do you would agree with grammarfreak on the original case though?

(a) In the past two weeks, I have had two tests and have two more to do.
(b) In the past two weeks,

vcolts(a) means that it's still ongoing (incomplete) while (b) means it's stopped (complete)?

That's more or less right. Yes. This is the slight difference in meaning.
(a) means it happened throughout a period of time that extends to the moment of utterance.
(b) means it happened (finished) at a point in time in the past.
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hmmm I am getting a conflicting message here.

Jim says both are grammatically correct while you say that one is wrong.

I also thought that it has to be in past tense but hmm....

If we say "I have had two tests," (isn't taking the test already complete for the two?) So it should essentially be in past tense?

vcoltsI have had two tests

This is the experiential present perfect. In this case the actions have already happened - have already been completed, but we recall them as a way of stating how things stand at the present moment.

The experiential present perfect is probably the most mystifying construction for English learners.

I had two test