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Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
Perfect vs Simple
Hi,
I've just heard a question saying "When have you seen him?". I'm wondering if this sentence is right grammatically. I thought that "When" determines the time of occurence and thus past simple should be used instead of present perfect tense. Please advise.
I've just heard a question saying "When have you seen him?". I'm wondering if this sentence is right grammatically. I thought that "When" determines the time of occurence and thus past simple should be used instead of present perfect tense. Please advise.
Top answer
I can imagine that it is common enough in conversation. A: I haven't seen John this week. B: Oh, I've seen him.
- I can imagine that it is common enough in conversation.
- A: I haven't seen John this week.
- B: Oh, I've seen him.
- A: Really?
- When have you seen him?
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3 Answers
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I can imagine that it is common enough in conversation.
A: I haven't seen John this week.
B: Oh, I've seen him.
A: Really? When have you seen him?
A is likely to carry on with the same verb form. Or:
A: I used to see John every day at noon.
B: Oh, I've seen him every day.
A: Really? When have you seen him?
A: I haven't seen John this week.
B: Oh, I've seen him.
A: Really? When have you seen him?
A is likely to carry on with the same verb form. Or:
A: I used to see John every day at noon.
B: Oh, I've seen him every day.
A: Really? When have you seen him?
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Thanks a lot for your promt response, Mr Micawber.
Is it only true for conversational language? Does it make any sense gammatically?
Do you happen to know whether it's right in british english as well?
Is it only true for conversational language? Does it make any sense gammatically?
Do you happen to know whether it's right in british english as well?
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Yes, acceptable for conversation, not careful writing. I don't get much chance to hear Britons speak.
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