0
Bamtori Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
You have come to say a special goodbye.
Teachers, I heard an actress say, "You've come to say a special goodbye." to another actress on a TV show. What's the use of the present perfect tense here? I think what she's implying here is, "Tell me your special goodbye.", I guess? Thanks in advance.
Top answer
Well, the present perfect here has the sense of action in the past that has an effect or relevance continuing into the present, which is its standard use (or one of them, anyway). But what you say seems reasonable: in this context it might well be a cue for the guest to start making her "special goodbye".
- Well, the present perfect here has the sense of action in the past that has an effect or relevance continuing into the present, which is its standard use (or one of them, anyway).
- But what you say seems reasonable: in this context it might well be a cue for the guest to start making her "special goodbye".
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
2 Answers
0
Well, the present perfect here has the sense of action in the past that has an effect or relevance continuing into the present, which is its standard use (or one of them, anyway). But what you say seems reasonable: in this context it might well be a cue for the guest to start making her "special goodbye".
00
BamtoriYou've come to say a special goodbye.Almost exactly: You are here for a certain purpose: to say a special goodbye.
The present perfect can sometimes be paraphrased with a present-tense expression.
CJ
0
Related Questions