Question in Past Perfect and Continuous

Question

HelloWhy did we put here Past Perfect Continuous not Present Continuous?- It was obvious that they had been playing football in the park.Why did we put here Past Perfect not Present Perfect?- As soon as I saw her, I relised we had met before.Thanks & Regards

Ant_222 · Accepted Answer

It was obvious that they had been playing football in the park.

At the moment in question one would say:
«It is obvious that they have been playing football in the park.»

Now this moment is in the past. And they played footbal even before that moment. So, we use Past Perfect to express it (past relative to a past moment)

«As soon as I saw her, I relised we had met before.»

Analogously.
He saw her in the past. He had met her even earlier. The past perfect shows the precedence of his first "meeting her" to "seeing her".

Penicillin · Answer

OK

What do we put Present Perfect Continuous in this not Present Simple?

-It is obvious that they have been playing football in the park.

CalifJim · Answer

Present point of view.

It is obvious that they play football. (They show the muscular development of football players. They are wearing football uniforms. They are carrying a football. I hear them talking about playing football.) This statement says that they regularly engage in this activity. They are not necessarily engaging in this activity at the moment I make the statement.

It is obvious that they are playing football. (I am looking at them. They are doing things with a football that constitute the playing of football. They are engaged in this activity as I look at them.) This statement says that they are engaging in this activity at this very moment -- at the very moment I make the statement.

It is obvious that they have played football. (They show the muscular development of football players. Perhaps I see that they are skillful at playing football. They could only have gained this skill by playing football a great deal of football in the past.) They are not necessarily playing football when I say this, though they may be.

It is obvious that they have been playing football. (They are sweating and out of breath. They are wearing uniforms that are muddy. They are carrying a football. They may be scratched up or bruised. They are headed toward the changing rooms.) They are not necessarily playing football when I say this.

Past point of view.
Same distinctions of meaning with:

It was obvious that they played football.
It was obvious that they were playing football.
It was obvious that they had played football.
It was obvious that they had been playing football.

But in these cases the facts were obvious in the past.

CJ

Marius Hancu · Answer

Onh1986What do we put Present Perfect Continuous in this not Present Simple?

-It is obvious that they have been playing football in the park.
It's continuous because the author wants to give the reader, in this case, the feeling that the action took place over some time, and continued for some time; it is present perfect because it's related to the present, when you're making your finding "It is obvious."

Penicillin · Answer

Thanks for your replies.

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