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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Sentence structure

  • We should have been there by now!
Is this sentence is 'Present Perfect' form?

I was just wondering, because there is the modal verb 'should' before the 'have been' which is present perfect.
  • He used to have crocked teeth.
This sentence is simple perfect, right?

Thanks for your help. Emotion: smile
  

Top answer

) + HAVE BEEN + there by now. (2) No, it is not called "perfect" by grammar books. (2) He + used (verb) + TO HAVE (infinitive) + crooked teeth.

— Anonymous

  • ) + HAVE BEEN + there by now.
  • (2) No, it is not called "perfect" by grammar books.
  • (2) He + used (verb) + TO HAVE (infinitive) + crooked teeth.
  • "To have" finishes the meaning of the verb (used).
  • Grammarians call this the "complementary infinitive" because the infinitive complements (completes) the verb.
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2 Answers
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(1) Yes, it is the present perfect of an auxiliary: We SHOULD (aux.) + HAVE BEEN + there by now. (2) No, it is not called "perfect" by grammar books. (2) He + used (verb) + TO HAVE (infinitive) + crooked teeth. "To have" finishes the meaning of the verb (used). Grammarians call this the "complementary infinitive" because the infinitive complements (completes) the verb. It is another way to say
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Anonymous
  • We should have been there by now!
Is this sentence is 'Present Perfect' form?
No. I would call it a modal perfect. Some books call it a modal verb followed by a bare perfect infinitive.
Anonymous
  • He used to have crocked teeth. (crooked)
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