0
Newguest Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
tense
Hello
Will there be at least a slight difference in meaning between these two:
1.I've spent half a day on a tree picking up cherries.
2. I spent half a day on a tree picking up cherries.
Also, can I say:
She's been calling me since Monday to come and visit her
OR
She's been telling me since Monday to come and visit her.
If I changed Monday into "yesterday" would it be alright?
Thank you
Will there be at least a slight difference in meaning between these two:
1.I've spent half a day on a tree picking up cherries.
2. I spent half a day on a tree picking up cherries.
Also, can I say:
She's been calling me since Monday to come and visit her
OR
She's been telling me since Monday to come and visit her.
If I changed Monday into "yesterday" would it be alright?
Thank you
Top answer
Hi Newguest, There is a slight difference in the time line between the first 2 sentences. #1 means that you have spent 1/2 of this day (today) up the tree. #2 means that you spent 1/2 of some day in the past (yesterday or further back) up the tree.
- Hi Newguest, There is a slight difference in the time line between the first 2 sentences.
- #1 means that you have spent 1/2 of this day (today) up the tree.
- #2 means that you spent 1/2 of some day in the past (yesterday or further back) up the tree.
- However, both sentences should use the preposition 'up' or 'in' instead of 'on'.
- 'Up' or 'in' a tree means you've climbed part way up it.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
6 Answers
0
Hi Newguest,
There is a slight difference in the time line between the first 2 sentences.
#1 means that you have spent 1/2 of this day (today) up the tree.
#2 means that you spent 1/2 of some day in the past (yesterday or further back) up the tree.
However, both sentences should use the preposition 'up' or 'in' instead of 'on'. 'Up' or 'in' a tree means you'v
There is a slight difference in the time line between the first 2 sentences.
#1 means that you have spent 1/2 of this day (today) up the tree.
#2 means that you spent 1/2 of some day in the past (yesterday or further back) up the tree.
However, both sentences should use the preposition 'up' or 'in' instead of 'on'. 'Up' or 'in' a tree means you'v
00
Hi Newguest
I'd say the main differences between the two sentences are these:
- It is more likely (bu
Newguest1. I've spent half a dayI'd suggest changing your sentences as I did in the quote.onin a tree pickingupcherries.
2. I spent half a dayonin a tree pickingupcherries.
I'd say the main differences between the two sentences are these:
- It is more likely (bu
00
0
SkrejAs for substituting 'yesterday' for 'Monday' again, yes, both work with no difference (aside from the amount of time that's passed).Hi
I thought that using "yesterday" with the present perfect progressive is not quite correct. I always associate it with the past simple.
00
You can use a specific time (yesterday, Monday, etc.) with the present perfect progressive as long as you've got 'since' or 'for' right before that specific time.
"She's been calling me since yesterday/Monday" or "She's been calling me for 48 hours straight" are both okay.
If you say "She called me yesterday", then that would be simple past. You can't say "She has been calling
"She's been calling me since yesterday/Monday" or "She's been calling me for 48 hours straight" are both okay.
If you say "She called me yesterday", then that would be simple past. You can't say "She has been calling
00
SkrejYou can use a specific time (yesterday, Monday, etc.) with the present perfect progressive as long as you've got 'since' or 'for' right before that specific time.
"She's been calling me since yesterday/Monday" or "She's been calling me for 48 hours straight" are both okay.
If you say "She called me yesterday", then that would be simple past. You can
0
Related Questions