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Necrophagist Posted 8 years ago
Grammar

Present or past perfect?

A: Why were you so happy a couple of minutes ago? I couldn't help but notice.

B: Because nobody has/had said anything as nice as that to me in a long time.

Can both be correct? (referring to "has" and "had", not "were") Can you elaborate?

  

Top answer

Necrophagist Can both be correct? Yes, because a couple of minutes ago is such a short time. If you're interested, I would say 'has said' there.

— CalifJim

  • Necrophagist Can both be correct?
  • Yes, because a couple of minutes ago is such a short time.
  • If you're interested, I would say 'has said' there.
  • CJ
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2 Answers
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NecrophagistCan both be correct?

Yes, because a couple of minutes ago is such a short time.

If you're interested, I would say 'has said' there.

CJ

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For strict grammar, say had said

But the speaker is thinking of 'a couple of minutes ago' as part of the present, so had said is OK. This is not unusual.

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