0
Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Use of present perfect and its specific time concept?

Hi. Why is it that we seem to be able to say that the phrase "in the last year" doesn't denote a specific time but (as it seems to me and as far as I know) the phrase "when I was young" denotes something specific (more or less)?

I think you can't write:

I have played chess when I was young.

I think you can write:

I have played chess in the last year.
  

Top answer

Anonymous I think you can't write: I have played chess when I was young. I think you can write: I have played chess in the last year. You think right.

— CalifJim

  • Anonymous I think you can't write: I have played chess when I was young.
  • I think you can write: I have played chess in the last year.
  • You think right.
  • The block of time referred to by the clause when I was young does not extend into present time; the block of time referred to by the phrase in the last year does.
  • ) CJ
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

3 Answers
0
AnonymousI think you can't write:

I have played chess when I was young.

I think you can write:

I have played chess in the last year.
You think right. The block of time referred to by the clause when I was young does not extend into present time; the block of time referred to by the phrase in the last year does.
0
0
Hello

When you use 'in the last year' it means during the latest year, the year in progress at the time of speaking; the present perfect must therefore be used as the year began in the past and it is still ongoing. If you change the wording to 'last year' then this refers to the year before and the past simple should be used as 'last year' has completely finished and there is no connectio
0
0
Yes. That's why

*I have played chess last year

is wrong.

CJ
0

Related Questions