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Forum_mail Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
Present Perfect - a couple of senteces which I don't get :-/
1. John has been here since I came.
a) Why is there "...since I came" instead of "...since I've come" ? What's the difference?
2. Would you rather say:
a) I have been there some time ago. OR
b) I was there some time ago.
As far as I know we use past simple when there's something like "last year" or "two days ago" and so on, but I've read lately that we use pres. perfect when there's no exact description of past reference. The question is - is "some time ago" vague enough to be used with pres. perf. ?
3. What's the difference between:
a) I saw that movie.
b) I have seen that movie.
4. What's the difference between:
a) John ha been here.
b) John was here.
c) John has been here since I came.
thanks!
a) Why is there "...since I came" instead of "...since I've come" ? What's the difference?
2. Would you rather say:
a) I have been there some time ago. OR
b) I was there some time ago.
As far as I know we use past simple when there's something like "last year" or "two days ago" and so on, but I've read lately that we use pres. perfect when there's no exact description of past reference. The question is - is "some time ago" vague enough to be used with pres. perf. ?
3. What's the difference between:
a) I saw that movie.
b) I have seen that movie.
4. What's the difference between:
a) John ha been here.
b) John was here.
c) John has been here since I came.
thanks!
Top answer
Click on the present perfect button right underneath your posting. Also, make a search (top right Search box) with simple past present perfect You'll find related threads with many examples.
- Click on the present perfect button right underneath your posting.
- Also, make a search (top right Search box) with simple past present perfect You'll find related threads with many examples.
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3 Answers
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Click on the
present perfect
button
right underneath your posting.
Also, make a search (top right Search box)
with
simple past present perfect
You'll find related threads with many examples.
present perfect
button
right underneath your posting.
Also, make a search (top right Search box)
with
simple past present perfect
You'll find related threads with many examples.
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I'd specifically recommend you to read this thread:
Present Perfect Tense
Present Perfect Tense
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The post referenced below is a bit wordy and a bit fanciful, but it may help you as it has helped others if you think about it a while. Note particularly the idea of the present perfect as the "diary tense".
some time ago is certainly enough of a time cue to bar the present perfect and require the past. Any mention of time with ago would have the same property
some time ago is certainly enough of a time cue to bar the present perfect and require the past. Any mention of time with ago would have the same property
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