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Anonymous Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

present perfect + that clause

1. Is this sentence grammatically OK?

e.g. I have pretended that I cannot speak English.

2. If this is OK,
In a sentence in which there is a "present perfect + that clause,"
does the verb in the "that clause" have to be present tense?

Thank you.
  

Top answer

Anonymous I have pretended that I cannot speak English. That is OK if you are indicating a past experience. Anonymous In a sentence in which there is a "present perfect + that clause,"does the verb in the "that clause" have to be present tense?

— Mister Micawber

  • Anonymous I have pretended that I cannot speak English.
  • That is OK if you are indicating a past experience.
  • Anonymous In a sentence in which there is a "present perfect + that clause,"does the verb in the "that clause" have to be present tense?
  • I would say 'normally, yes', though I cannot think of an exception at the moment.
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7 Answers
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Anonymous I have pretended that I cannot speak English.
That is OK if you are indicating a past experience.
AnonymousIn a sentence in which there is a "present perfect + that clause,"does the verb in the "that clause" have to be present tense?
I would say 'normally, yes', though I cannot think of an exception at the moment.
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AnonymousIn a sentence in which there is a "present perfect + that clause,"does the verb in the "that clause" have to be present tense?
By no means.

One might say, for instance, such things as:

I have understood that you will not allow me to play in the concert.
H
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AnonymousIn a sentence in which there is a "present perfect + that clause,"does the verb in the "that clause" have to be present tense?
No. That's a very frequently seen pattern, but it is not a requirement.

He denied that he has ever said that he plagiarized.
I have always thought that Jack was one of the best.
He has repeatedly admitted tha
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Thank you very much for your quick reply.
Thank you.
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CalifJim That's a very frequently seen pattern
Hmm. I guess I didn't think long enough!
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Thank you very much for your reply.
Probably it partly depends on the main verb.
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Thank you very much for giving a lot of examples.
Probably when the main verbs are "say or think,"
any verbs in the "that clause" can be OK.
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