question on sentence tenses

Question

Do I have to use (have) throughout the sentence since I started with the present perfect so that the sentence would be consistent?

1. I have looked and (have) not found what you (have) told me.

2. I have looked and did not find what you told me.

I am also confused about starting a sentence with present perfect, as in #2, and continuing with the simple past. Is it wrong and should I use the present perfect through the entire sentence again? I think I should but please confirm.

Thanks in advance!

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

AnonymousDo I have to use (have) throughout the sentence

No.

AnonymousI am also confused about starting a sentence with present perfect, as in #2, and continuing with the simple past. Is it wrong and should I use the present perfect through the entire sentence again?

No. Each verb is considered separately for its function.

Anonymous · Answer

Mister MicawberAnonymousDo I have to use (have) throughout the sentenceNo.

Thanks, MM. So what do you recommend in the case of the examples I have provided?

If the sentence is connected as in the first example, wouldn't it sound not accurate to say 'I have looked and not found what you told me'? Since he has told me recently, shouldn't I use 'have told me', which is connected to 'I have looked'!

Mister MicawberNo. Each verb is considered separately for its function.

I don't get what exactly that mean, since the sentences I provided and the actions are connected. Would you please clarify and tell me what to do, because I thought the there should be a logical connection?

Does the use of the present perfect in the beginning cover for the rest of the sentence?

Mister Micawber · Answer

AnonymousSo what do you recommend in the case of the examples I have provided?

They are fine as they are.

AnonymousI don't get what exactly that mean

I mean that the uses to which the various tenses and aspects are put should be considered for each verb. Some decisions will allow you to have both verbs in the same clause or sentence, while others will not.

AnonymousDoes the use of the present perfect in the beginning cover for the rest of the sentence?

Not unless you have designed and structured it that way.

Anonymous · Answer

Mister Micawbero what do you recommend in the case of the examples I have provided?They are fine as they are.

Thanks, MM. That's an important topic that I want to make sure I know!

So for the first sentence, I have used 'have' throughout the sentence, and in the second I have not and they are basically the same sentences. Wouldn't that give it a different meaning?

Mister MicawberI mean that the uses to which the various tenses and aspects are put should be considered for each verb. Some decisions will allow you to have both verbs in the same clause or sentence, while others will not.

So you mean it depends on what I want to convey. Do you mean in some cases I can use a combination while others I have to just use the present perfect or past, which depends on what I want to emphasize?

Mister MicawberDoes the use of the present perfect in the beginning cover for the rest of the sentence?Not unless you have designed and structured it that way.

So in my first example I had to use the present perfect throughout otherwise I could not have emphasized that I have looked and have not found... Am I correct?

So is it Ok to use have multiple times throughout to emphasize the present or perfect status?

question on sentence tenses

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions