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Mr Pete Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
Present perfect: Why the different meaning to these two texts?
Hello. I was wondering if anyone could explain the following to me.
I have to say whether the second statement of each text is true or false.
1. Grandma's been to the Bank. Grandma is at the bank now. The answer is FALSE (Grandma is not at the bank now)
2. Tanya's taken Rob to the park. Rob's at the park now. The answer is True (Rob is at the park now)
I have answered the questions correctly, but I can't explain why one is false but the other one is true when they are both present perfect and use the same structure. Why does the first one indicate that it is in the past and not happening now, but the second one indicate that it is still happening now. Why does the first one indicate that Grandma is no longer at the bank but the second indicate that Rob is still at the park?
Many thanks,
Pete
I have to say whether the second statement of each text is true or false.
1. Grandma's been to the Bank. Grandma is at the bank now. The answer is FALSE (Grandma is not at the bank now)
2. Tanya's taken Rob to the park. Rob's at the park now. The answer is True (Rob is at the park now)
I have answered the questions correctly, but I can't explain why one is false but the other one is true when they are both present perfect and use the same structure. Why does the first one indicate that it is in the past and not happening now, but the second one indicate that it is still happening now. Why does the first one indicate that Grandma is no longer at the bank but the second indicate that Rob is still at the park?
Many thanks,
Pete
Top answer
Hello, Mr Pete—and welcome to English Forums. Mr Pete I can't explain why one is false but the other one is true when they are both present perfect and use the same structure. You have to look at the semantics, the real meaning of what has happened, Pete, not just the verb forms.
- Hello, Mr Pete—and welcome to English Forums.
- Mr Pete I can't explain why one is false but the other one is true when they are both present perfect and use the same structure.
- You have to look at the semantics, the real meaning of what has happened, Pete, not just the verb forms.
- It simply depends on the meanings of the two verbs as we use them: She has been to the bank means she was there and then left.
- She has gone to the bank means that she is there now.
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3 Answers
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Hello, Mr Pete—and welcome to English Forums.
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Mr PeteI can't explain why one is false but the other one is true when they are both present perfect and use the same structure.You have to look at the semantics, the real meaning of what has happened, Pete, not just the verb forms. It simply depends on the meanings of the two verbs as we use them:
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Mr PeteWhy does the first one indicate that Grandma is no longer at the bank but the second indicate that Rob is still at the park?They actually don't, except that those interpretations are the most logical ones given the actions expressed in them.
When we say that Grandma has been to the bank, we might mean that on at least one occasion she went the
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