0
Paul_h Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
Present perfect vs. simple past
I had an argument at work again. Two questions.
Often people say "What did I just say?" But the fact that it happened only recently, shouldn't it be "What have I just said?" But why?
Second question. Supposing I move away from "here" into a new city. Upon leaving, I say "This is not the last time I lived here" or should it be "This was not the last time I have lived here", because I'm sort of still living here.
Paul
Often people say "What did I just say?" But the fact that it happened only recently, shouldn't it be "What have I just said?" But why?
Second question. Supposing I move away from "here" into a new city. Upon leaving, I say "This is not the last time I lived here" or should it be "This was not the last time I have lived here", because I'm sort of still living here.
Paul
Top answer
The originals of both examples are clearly the preferred versions. In the first one, I picture the speaker with the paddle still raised, ready to strike again. I know it seems ironic, but the sense of completeion which the perfect tense carries seems greater than that of the simple past.
- The originals of both examples are clearly the preferred versions.
- In the first one, I picture the speaker with the paddle still raised, ready to strike again.
- I know it seems ironic, but the sense of completeion which the perfect tense carries seems greater than that of the simple past.
- " The second one deals a little bit in fantasy, since it obviously can't be the last (other / previous) time.
- " I believe you must use present tense to bring it off.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
1 Answers
0
The originals of both examples are clearly the preferred versions. In the first one, I picture the speaker with the paddle still raised, ready to strike again. I know it seems ironic, but the sense of completeion which the perfect tense carries seems greater than that of the simple past. "I struck the nail" seems more willing to allow a repeat performance than "I have struck the nail." And as
0
Related Questions