present perfect with time clause

Question

HiPlease help me with this:1. She will not leave until you arrive. 2. She will not leave until you have arrived.I think 1 is commonly used. Can 2 be considered equally correct?

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

vsureshCan 2 be considered equally correct?

Yes; it emphasizes the conclusion of the event, I think.

CalifJim · Answer

vsureshCan 2 be considered equally correct?

Yes. After many subordinators, the present and the present perfect are almost in free variation.

unless you [arrive / have arrived]; as soon as you [find out / have found out]; until he [leaves / has left]; when they [begin / have begun]; once she [decides / has decided]; ...

As Mr. M. pointed out, the present focuses more on the immediate onset of the arrival, discovery, or whatever, from the point of view of watchfulness for its occurrence; the present perfect focuses more on the full completion of the arrival, discovery, or whatever, from the point of view of its already having been completed.

...... as soon as you find out >...X....
...... as soon as ...... X ... < you have found out
___________

Sometimes it doesn't work with the present perfect, e.g., *as soon as you have known, *until it has contained, because of the meaning of the verb. It seems to me that these exceptions are mostly non-progressive verbs, but don't quote me on that.

CJ

Vsuresh · Answer

Thank you very much.

present perfect with time clause

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