sequence inquiry

Question

Is this sentence possible?After I have met with John, I would like to meet with you to tell you what happened..

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

Anonymous Is this sentence possible?After I have met with John, I would like to meet with you to tell you what happened..

Yes.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

CalifJim Anonymous Is this sentence possible?After I have met with John, I would like to meet with you to tell you what happened..Yes.CJ

Thanks, CJ. Would this also be correct:

After my meeting with John, I would like to meet with you...

Anonymous · Answer

AnonymousIs this sentence possible?

It would be in American English. Apart from that, there is no need to use "with" after "meet".

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousWould this also be correct:After my meeting with John, I would like to meet with you...

Fine.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

CalifJim AnonymousWould this also be correct:After my meeting with John, I would like to meet with you...Fine.CJ

Hi CJ, I would like your help on a subject, please.

I am confused as to how to write a sentence when the elements of the sentence and tenses are connected. I know that I can use different verb tenses if the sentence requires, but do I have to continue with the perfect tense if the sentence required?

For example, which sentence would be the correct response to this question:
Have you looked at the schedule for classes?

1. Yes, I have looked and did not see anything interesting.
2. Yes, I have looked and haven't seen anything interesting.

My question is that if I start my sentence with the present perfect (have looked), do I have to use the present perfect (haven't seen) or is it possible to use the past tense (didn't see)?

In other words what do you recommend in sentences that are similar to the one above?

Fivejedjon · Answer

Anonymous AnonymousIs this sentence possible?It would be in American English. Apart from that, there is no need to use "with" after "meet".

I do like your 'apart from that' of a variety of English that, according to wikipediia, is spoken as a native variety by more than twice as many people as the combined native speakers of all the other major varieties of English.

The countries with the highest populations of native English speakers are, in descending order: the United States (229 million), the United Kingdom(60 million), Canada (18.2 million), Australia (15.5 million), Nigeria (4 million), Ireland (3.8 million), South Africa (3.7 million), and New Zealand (3.6 million) in a 2006 Census.

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousMy question is that if I start my sentence with the present perfect (have looked), do I have to use the present perfect (haven't seen) or is it possible to use the past tense (didn't see)?

No.

AnonymousYes, I have looked and did not see anything interesting.

Correct. Better than the alternative. You've given a status report (you've looked) and said what happened (you didn't see).

CJ

CalifJim · Answer

fivejedjonI do like your 'apart from that'

Did this post end up in the wrong thread? Because I see no connection to simple past and present perfect.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks a lot for replying, CJ. I am so glad that you replied!

CalifJimMy question is that if I start my sentence with the present perfect (have looked), do I have to use the present perfect (haven't seen) or is it possible to use the past tense (didn't see)?No.

I see. Does that depend on the context? Are there instances where the present perfect is used multiple times, or is it not necessary since I started with the present perfect and that counts for what follow?

CalifJimAnonymousYes, I have looked and did not see anything interesting.Correct. Better than the alternative. You've given a status report (you've looked) and said what happened (you didn't see).

Just curious, is the other one wrong or just not as good?

So the status report is that I have looked and the 'didn't see' is the action. So if I use 'haven't seen', is it more like a status report again and not an action of the initial status report that 'I have looked'?

Other examples are the following:
Does the same apply to the following below example, where the first part if the status report and what follows is the action and there is no need for the perfect?

1. a) I have looked and (have) not found what you (have) told me.
b) I have looked and did not find what you (have) told me.

2. a) I have called him but he has not answered.
b) I have called him but he did not answer.

3. I have called him and he has still not called me back.

Is the last one, #3, considered two status reports maybe, me calling and him not calling back, which is an exception?

CalifJim · Answer

Anonymousis the other one wrong or just not as good?

I have to admit that it sounds wrong to me. I suspect that not everyone will agree with me about this.

AnonymousSo the status report is that I have looked and the 'didn't see' is the action. So if I use 'haven't seen', is it more like a status report again and not an action of the initial status report that 'I have looked'?

Correct.

Anonymous1. a) I have looked and (have) not found what you (have) told me. b) I have looked and did not find what you (have) told me.

My version: [I've looked / I looked], but I didn't find what you were telling me about. / [I've looked / I looked], but I didn't find what you said I'd find.

Anonymous2. a) I have called him but he has not answered. b) I have called him but he did not answer.

I'd use a). He has still not answered. Presumably I'll keep calling. He hasn't answered so far. The time relationship is different here.

Anonymous3. I have called him and he has still not called me back.

My version: I've been calling him (all day) and leaving messages to call me, but he still hasn't called back.

CJ

sequence inquiry

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions