0
Viceidol Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

Using present perfect to represent future....?

Hi, everyone

I have a doubt about using present perfect to represent future. Please see the sentence below first...

The birds will fly south when winter comes.

Can it be rephrased as "The birds will fly south when winter has come."?

And another similar sentence:

I'll go shopping if it has stopped raining by this afternoon.

Can it be rephrased as "I'll go shopping if it stops raining by this afternoon."?

I'd appreciate it if you can explain why. Thanks!Emotion: smile
  

Top answer

Viceidol Hi, everyone I have a doubt about using present perfect to represent future. Please see the sentence below first... The birds will fly south when winter comes .

— Philip

  • Viceidol Hi, everyone I have a doubt about using present perfect to represent future.
  • Please see the sentence below first...
  • The birds will fly south when winter comes .
  • "?
  • And another similar sentence: I'll go shopping if it has stopped raining by this afternoon.
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
ViceidolHi, everyone

I have a doubt about using present perfect to represent future. Please see the sentence below first...

The birds will fly south when winter comes.

Can it be rephrased as "The birds will fly south when winter has come."?

And another similar sentence:

0
0
I'm not a native and I don't use it very often... but, yes, present perfect can be used for a future action.

Call me as soon as you have finished.
0
0
The difference is negligible.

With the present tense you're looking forward to the future moment.
With the present perfect tense you're looking backward to the future moment from an even more future moment.

| xxxxxx | indicates the period of interest. Note that the placement of the period of interest is identical in both cases.

when winter comes
Prese
0

Related Questions