TENSES AND TIME DIFFERENCES

Question

Could someone just please clear something up for me I did post a thread a couple of days ago but two people gave me two different answers so I dont know which is correct I will say what I think in red

I have 2 sentences I need to select TENSE and TIME DIFFERENCE used. I am confused as Present simple is (I do) and present perfect is (I have done) I think.

1. We've got the next lesson in the language library. PRESENT SIMPLE FUTURE (because its next or is it present because we've got)?

2. I am to give a speech at the conference next week. PRESENT SIMPLE FUTURE

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

I have 2 sentences I need to select

TENSE and TIME DIFFERENCE used.

I understand what you mean by 'tense'. You just want to name the tense.

I don't know what you mean by 'time difference'.

Please explain by commenting on this simple example.

Mary has an appointment tomorrow..

The tense is Present Simple. What would you say is the time difference?

I am confused as Present simple is (I do) yes and present perfect is (I have done) yes I think.

1. We've got the next lesson in the language library. PRESENT SIMPLE FUTURE (because its next or is it present because we've got)? The tense is Present Perfect (we have got).

The idea is that 'we' have been told at some time in the past about the arrangement for a lesson that will take place in the future.

2. I am to give a speech at the conference next week. PRESENT SIMPLE FUTURE

Yes, Present Simple.

The idea is that at present I have a commitment to give a speech next week.

Best wishes, Clive

CalifJim · Answer

CliveI don't know what you mean by 'time difference'.

Just guessing. I think yaggy means 'time reference', not 'time difference'.

CJ

Yaggy74 · Answer

Sorry I mean Time REFERENCE not Time Distance my mistake

CalifJim · Answer

Yaggy! Now you've done it again. You've introduced a third word.

Note: reference - difference - distance

CJ

Yaggy74 · Answer

I am not suprised I never understand

It is supposed to be TIME REFERENCE and THE TENSE I am presuming the time references are both in the future am I right? of is the one about the lesson present?

I have spent that much time on these I am stressed

I just confuse myself the more I read. Maybe I am not cut out for learning this

CalifJim · Answer

yaggy74It is supposed to be TIME REFERENCE and THE TENSE

There you go! Now you have it right.

yaggy74I am presuming the time references are both in the future am I right?

There are different opinions on this. That's why you are getting different answers. Almost everyone can agree on the TENSE, but the determination of TIME REFERENCE can depend on how the reader interprets the meaning of the sentence.

yaggy74I just confuse myself the more I read. Maybe I am not cut out for learning this

I don't think so. You seem to be improving your understanding with every new post! Just be patient. Don't give up now!

CJ

CalifJim · Answer

yaggy74We've got the next lesson in the language library.

There are two meanings for this sentence. One reader might interpret the sentence one way; another reader, another way.

We've got the next lesson in the language library. ~ We are going to be taught the next lesson in the language library. We are going to assemble in the language library to be taught the next lesson.

Time Reference: Future

We've got the next lesson in the language library. ~ We have (at this very moment) the next lesson (as an audio tape, or as a booklet, stored and available for your use) in the language library.
Time Reference: Present

Tense can be known just by examining the pattern of the words. You don't have to know the meanings.

Time reference can only be known by thinking about the meanings of the words. When the same words can mean different things, you may have a different time reference with each different interpretation of the meaning.

CJ

Yaggy74 · Answer

Yes thats what I keep thinking because it depends how it is read but the ve and got is highlighted in the sentence so that is why I am not sure

CalifJim · Answer

yaggy74the ve and got is highlighted

That's just so you know which words to concentrate on when you figure out the tense. 've got means have got so that's present perfect tense, just as Clive said.

CJ

Yaggy74 · Answer

Hi

I just wanted to let you know that the answer to question 1 was actually present simple as I had thought and not present perfect I was marked down for that not sure i will ever understand these thanks anyway just thought I would let you know maybe you can explaint to me why?

TENSES AND TIME DIFFERENCES

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