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Laborious Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
Q: the use of 'so far' in 'present simple' and 'present continuous' tenses
Hello teachers,
I'd like to ask you a few things about the usage of 'so far' in different tenses, please. Is it correct and/or natural to use 'so far' in the present continuous tense or present simple tense, for example? I think it's not normal to use 'so far' in those tenses. I think it's much more common or usual to use it (so far) with 'present perfect simple' or 'present perfect continuous tenses', instead. What's your opinions on this, please?
For instance, is the use of 'so far' correct or natural in these examples?
- He's working well so far. (How about "He has been working well so far."?)
- Everything is perfect so far. (What do you think of "Everything has been perfect so far."?)
- Everything is going well as planned so far. (Don't you think it will be more natural to say "Everything has been going well as planned so far."?)
Thank you all.
I'd like to ask you a few things about the usage of 'so far' in different tenses, please. Is it correct and/or natural to use 'so far' in the present continuous tense or present simple tense, for example? I think it's not normal to use 'so far' in those tenses. I think it's much more common or usual to use it (so far) with 'present perfect simple' or 'present perfect continuous tenses', instead. What's your opinions on this, please?
For instance, is the use of 'so far' correct or natural in these examples?
- He's working well so far. (How about "He has been working well so far."?)
- Everything is perfect so far. (What do you think of "Everything has been perfect so far."?)
- Everything is going well as planned so far. (Don't you think it will be more natural to say "Everything has been going well as planned so far."?)
Thank you all.
Top answer
I find all your present-tense alternatives acceptable in conversational English. I can imagine using these patterns myself. In careful writing I might prefer the present perfect.
- I find all your present-tense alternatives acceptable in conversational English.
- I can imagine using these patterns myself.
- In careful writing I might prefer the present perfect.
- "going well as planned" sounds like a slightly unnatural mixture of "going well" and "going as planned".
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3 Answers
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I find all your present-tense alternatives acceptable in conversational English. I can imagine using these patterns myself. In careful writing I might prefer the present perfect.
"going well as planned" sounds like a slightly unnatural mixture of "going well" and "going as planned".
"going well as planned" sounds like a slightly unnatural mixture of "going well" and "going as planned".
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So, in written English or in an examination, I should avoid using the present continuous or present simple tense with 'so far'. Right, teacher?
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LaboriousSo, in written English or in an examination, I should avoid using the present continuous or present simple tense with 'so far'. Right, teacher?I have no problem with using these tenses in informal written English. In an examination it may be safer to avoid them.
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