'The name you've mentioned *earlier*'

Question

Can I use the past progressive even though I use 'earlier' in a phrase?

Ant_222 · Accepted Answer

I think (but not completely sure), yes, Present Perfect (which you probably meant by "past progressive" ??) can be used this way to "intensify" the statement. But Past Simple is the most "neutral" (and therefore common) choice here.

Whl626 · Answer

I was coming in here much earlier than you did. <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

Yankee · Answer

Whl626I was coming in here much earlier than you did.

'Came' would be better than 'was coming' in your sentence, whl262. In addition, the word 'did' at the end of the sentence doesn't work with 'was coming' at the beginning.

How about this sentence instead:

That PC was working just fine earlier today, so I'm surprised that you are having so many problems with it now.

@ WA

Is that the sort of sentence you were thinking of when you posted?

WesternAmerican · Answer

Hi Yankee.
No, I just want to know if I can use 'earlier' with present perfect(I'm not sure about it because earlier indicates time).

CalifJim · Answer

I just want to know if I can use 'earlier' with present perfect

You said past progressive earlier -- not present perfect! You are confusing us!

No. For the reason you have already mentioned -- earlier implies a definite time -- you should not use earlier with the present perfect.

I ~~have seen~~ saw her earlier (today).

CJ

WesternAmerican · Answer

Thank you very much.

'The name you've mentioned earlier'

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