All Questions
Tagged with perfect-aspect present-perfect
47 questions
2
votes
3
answers
224
views
Past and present perfect tense in scientific articles
There are various questions about this, but none that I found provided me with a satisfying answer. My problem lies mainly in the part of the paper were I introduce the necessary background, and in ...
- 123
0
votes
0
answers
194
views
I've planned my visit for years vs I've been planning my visit for years
Look at these two sentences:
I've planned my visit to Japan for years.
I've been planning my visit to Japan for years.
To me, both are acceptable and interchangeable. Would I be incorrect? Both of ...
- 728
1
vote
1
answer
595
views
It hasn't snowed vs it hasn't been snowing
Ok, to preface this question, I have read extensively on the subject of the present perfect and present perfect continuous. This question isn't about the present perfect for finished actions; rather, ...
- 728
0
votes
0
answers
69
views
Can we use present perfect tense with past time expressions?
Can we use the present perfect tense with past time expressions if we are not telling stories or talking about the past, but if it is important to let know that an action happened at the exact time in ...
- 1
1
vote
1
answer
56
views
On official forms, does the present perfect imply that the situation is ongoing or has not yet concluded?
I have a question specifically about present perfect usage in legal and “bureaucratic” writing. On official forms (for example, application forms from US government agencies or IRS forms), I sometimes ...
- 111
1
vote
0
answers
1k
views
I've studied vs I've been studying
What's the difference from these two phrases? How would I know if keep studying or if I did it in the past?
0
votes
0
answers
177
views
use of Present Perfect without time reference
I have a doubt about the use of present perfect.
If I want to say that something happened in the past but I don't want to express when it happened or it's not important, can I use present perfect?
For ...
0
votes
0
answers
107
views
Present Perfect and Past Simple together
I just wonder if i have a possibility to mix these tenses in this way. For example, i say about things happened in the past. Can i use present perfect to show result of this sentences in present? I ...
3
votes
3
answers
1k
views
How is the present perfect “connected” with the present?
Practical English Usage and the Cambridge Grammar of English say
that the present perfect “is connected in some way with the present.”
Neither book explains this, and this is why I’m asking for you ...
- 31
3
votes
1
answer
131
views
Where no man {has gone/went} before [duplicate]
Is there any difference between these two sentences? And how to sense the difference?
Where no man has gone before.
Where no man went before.
The first sentence is the title of episode three of Star ...
0
votes
2
answers
13k
views
What does definite and indefinite mean in past tense and present perfect respectively
I am reading the grammar book - A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language - these days. I am confused about the meanings of definite and indefinite in Past Tense and Present Perfect.
I know ...
- 127
1
vote
2
answers
5k
views
They have lived in Paris for 5 years NOW (?) [duplicate]
The sentence you see in the title is from my English lesson. Thought I was OK with the Present Perfect, but I'm not so confident now.
The explanation says that I can translate this sentence as "they ...
- 13
1
vote
4
answers
429
views
Dilemma between present perfect simple and past simple
I do not know where to find the right answer. Please tell and explain what my errors are
I must use either the Present Perfect Simple or Past Simple
B. How long / you / have /that?
...
- 29
1
vote
2
answers
85
views
"...like traffic lights which had gone mad" or "...have gone mad"? [closed]
Shall I use "have" or "had" in this sentence:
These lights flickered continuously like traffic lights which had/have gone mad.
- 31
2
votes
2
answers
808
views
How to distinguish and use the present perfect for the recent past?
I'm having trouble understanding and using the so-called “perfect of recent past” aspect on the present tense. I have three related questions about this which are in bullets, two here and one at the ...
- 21
3
votes
5
answers
8k
views
What tense should I use for describing an ongoing action which has started a long time ago? [closed]
Suppose I started working on a project several years ago and right now I'm still working on the same project. If I want to express this to someone else what tense should I use? The statement should ...
- 157
0
votes
1
answer
64k
views
"have been requested", "has been" or "had been" [duplicate]
I always have difficulty in sorting out between "have been" and "had been", I face this issue a lot.
As an example, which one is correct?
The items have been requested by your team
The items ...
- 23
0
votes
1
answer
449
views
Difference between present perfect simple and present perfect continuous [duplicate]
Are both "I have read this book for months" and "I have been reading this book for months" correct?
If yes, how are meanings different?
- 1
2
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Is "He should have gone running away" grammatical? [closed]
Is the use of the construction should have gone running away correct?
Would not a better answer be “should have run away”? A teacher at my school had this question on her students exam and is curious ...
- 29
-1
votes
1
answer
161
views
He is the only/first player who has won GS twice
He is the only player who has won GS twice.
He is the first player who has won GS twice.
Are both sentences grammatically valid? If the tennis player is still active, can I use the present ...
- 75
0
votes
0
answers
3k
views
Newspaper headlines + is it possible to use present perfect?
I've found these two sentences in newspaper headlines and there are two things I am not sure about:
Haas beats Wawrinka
Tommy Haas claimed the biggest win of the season against Wawrinka. He ...
- 75
1
vote
3
answers
4k
views
In the past year [duplicate]
I went to Australia last year.
I have gone to Australia in the past year.
I know it is perfectly alright to use past simple for the first sentence.
But why do you use present perfect "have gone" ...
- 65
0
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Which timeline illustrates “I have finished my homework” most accurately? [duplicate]
I have learned Present-perfect in school.
But I felt that foreigner used in different way of Present-perfect.
What is the right tense of this sentence?
Please choose the right picture that shows ...
- 809
1
vote
3
answers
47k
views
Difference between Present P. and Past P. for completed actions
I am always get into dilemma situation whether to use "I have" or "I had" for immediate past event.
For example:
I have discussed with you
or
I had discussed with you
The discussion ...
- 41
0
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Using "might have been" in the present perfect
How do we use "might have been" in the present perfect? For example, "The door might have been closed". How can we say this in the present perfect? Or is it already in the present perfect?
-1
votes
2
answers
105
views
usage of HAS in tenses [duplicate]
"she RETURNED 2 days ago
and
she HAS KNOWN me for 2 yrs"
Why in the 2nd sentences we have used "HAS" and not in 1st sentence?
0
votes
1
answer
4k
views
Usage of "since" and "for" in the present perfect and simple past tense [duplicate]
Can we use since and for with past tense?
If we can use them, then what is difference between:
I have learnt English for 3 months
I learnt English for 3 months
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
800
views
present continuous tense, present perfect tense and present perfect continuous [closed]
What are the differences between following three sentences ?
A. I am living here for 3 years.
B. I have lived here for 3 years.
C. I have been living here for 3 years.
0
votes
1
answer
30k
views
"glad to receive something" or "glad to have received something"? [closed]
which is correct?
"I am glad to receive your letter."
or
"I am glad to have received your letter."
The intent is to talk about a specific letter recently received in the past.
- 346
2
votes
2
answers
65k
views
Is this grammatically correct: "It has happened for a while now." [closed]
If not, why? I think it sounds awkward but I cannot be sure it's incorrect.
- 213
2
votes
6
answers
47k
views
Present Perfect with the word "ago"?
First, I check that my native language is not English, and the problem described below met on one of the exams.
With this sentence:
"The most important news is that my parents [...] a new ...
- 123
4
votes
2
answers
10k
views
Can I use the present perfect tense with a specific time expression? [closed]
Is it grammatical to combine the present perfect tense with time? For example,
I've seen that movie two days ago.
I've completed the 12-step program last summer.
The deadline was two days ...
- 1,436
1
vote
1
answer
25k
views
What does "Compound Tense" mean? [closed]
I have problems with learning about "Compound Tenses".
Please help me.
- 437
10
votes
7
answers
249k
views
"could have" vs. "could have been"
Can somebody explain when to use could have and could have been and under what circumstances? Please explain with an example.
Is it something to do with the active (could have) and the passive ...
- 355
3
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Perfect vs Perfect Continuous
I saw this sentence the other day and it struck me as awkward. I went online and saw many instances of the present perfect being used in such manner.
She has worked here since 1995
Shouldn't this ...
- 1,170
1
vote
2
answers
7k
views
“Have been occupied” VS. “have been being occupied”
I have a question about the present perfect. Here's a sample dialogue.
Mary: Hey, John...Are you listening? Hello??
John: Oh hey Mary...I've been occupied with this dreadful thought.
Mary: What might ...
user41481
3
votes
2
answers
24k
views
'have been' vs. 'went' with time words
Sometimes I see the following in ESL learners' writing:
I have been to America two years ago.
Am I correct in saying that it should be:
I have been to America.
I went to America two years ago.
My ...
- 33
1
vote
1
answer
2k
views
Should “How long were you at work?” have a simple or a compound tense?
I would like to know, if the following sentence can ever be correct in any context?
How long were you at work?
Or it must be:
How long had you been at work?
For example:
How long were you ...
- 11
4
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Why present perfect in “When the night has come”?
In the song “Stand by Me”, we see a sentence like “when the night has come.”
I was taught that in a when clause, we use the past tense, yet the present perfect has been used in the sentence cited ...
- 809
1
vote
2
answers
629
views
Present and past perfect dilemma
This sentence is giving me trouble:
For several days I (have/had) not had the chance to see her until a
few hours ago.
I think had is correct because the time reference is a few hours ago, which ...
- 387
1
vote
2
answers
5k
views
Meaning and sentence structure of "Why would we have thought otherwise?"
Here is a snippet from an article on CNN
And of course the fiscal cliff turned out to be a dud. Why would we have thought otherwise? It somehow makes perfect sense that Washington created its own ...
- 121
0
votes
4
answers
14k
views
Present perfect used in the negative
For the following sentence:
I haven't been there in a long time.
I want to know if the above sentence conveys any connection with time up to now. How can I correct this sentence it if it is ...
- 397
1
vote
1
answer
21k
views
Use of “had said” in the “The Archers”
In the BBC radio drama The Archers, the following conversation takes place:
A: David, you are not going to say what you saw. You love your family, right?
David: What?
A: ...
- 13.6k
1
vote
2
answers
13k
views
Present perfect or past perfect with "yesterday"?
I have marked those books yesterday.
I had marked those books yesterday.
Which sentence is correct?
I know that:
The present perfect is used when an action begins in the past and continues into ...
- 131
11
votes
1
answer
16k
views
How to correctly use the present perfect tense
This link states that:
When you use the present perfect tense you have to be talking about a period of time that you still consider to be going on. For example, if it’s still morning, you can say, &...
- 11.4k
14
votes
2
answers
85k
views
How to use "have been —ing"
I know the present perfect continuous is used for activity which has stopped recently or now. When it combines with for, since, or how long an activity is done, it means the activity is still ...
user6812
66
votes
4
answers
1.2m
views
When is it necessary to use "have had"?
I have come across a few sentences that contain "have had". I would like to know in what kind of situations we should use this combination.
- 901