What has that been?

Dear sir,

It is my opinion that the noise has finished. It is therefore not connected to the present. The present perfect therefore is not correct.

We normally say the former because the noise is normally either completed (what was that noise?) or is still reverberating (what is that noise?). Your second form is also possible on occasion too: What has that noise been-- the one I have been hearing every night at midnight?

GoldmundDear sir,

It is my opinion that the noise has finished. It is therefore not connected to the present. The present perfect therefore is not correct.

Mister MicawberWe normally say the former because the noise is normally either completed (what was that noise?) or is still reverberating (what is that noise?). Your second form is also possible on occasion too: What has that noise been-- the one I have been hearing every night at midnight?

<What has that no

No, the noise has not finished; it is presumed that it will occur again tonight and in subsequent nights. As Goldmund rightly implies, a connection to the present for a series of actions (though each may be completed in and of itself) calls for the present perfect-- as is true for no action at all: there has never been any noise from the old motor.

<What has that noise been-- the one I have been hearing every night at midnight?>

To me, in that sentence.there is no implication thet the noise will continue.

Here, there is.

<What is that noise -- the one I have been hearing every night at midnight?>

Thank goodness we don't sleep together, then.

Anonymous

Goldmund
Dear sir,

It is my opinion that the noise has finished. It is therefore not connected to the present. The present perfect therefore is not correct.