Questions tagged [present-perfect]
Questions related to the English Perfect Construction, which is sometimes called "the present perfect tense".
480
questions
-1
votes
2answers
40 views
I couldn't decide which one to use, and where to use: simple tense vs. perfect tense
The two questions in my grammar book:
1)"Many people claim ------ sundaes and many towns around the world
pretend ---- birthplaces of ice creams.
A) to have invented / to be
B) to ...
0
votes
1answer
25 views
Changing tense from present perfect to simple past without time reference
This is a translation of a web article. In the first two sentences, the present perfect tense is used as there is no time frame when in the past the launch took place or the quotes were said. The ...
1
vote
0answers
18 views
Does 'when' suggest order of action when used in a present perfect sentence?
In
"I had eaten when he arrived."
Does that say that I finished eating first before he arrived?
Also, in
"I had eaten sea urchins when I went to Japan"
Does that suggest that I've already eaten sea ...
2
votes
2answers
38 views
Use of the present perfect for repetitive actions
I've already searched a lot on the web, but still can't figure out one specific example.
For instance:
Mary has been to England twice.
Alice has been to the cinema twice this week. (= The week is ...
1
vote
0answers
49 views
Present Perfect Continuous - Visualization of tense [on hold]
I have found a picture with visualization of various tenses and I can't understand why "I have been eating" doesn't reach Right now time because as I understand that tense means that action was ...
0
votes
0answers
37 views
What should be the proper usage of “has been/have been” in Present Perfect Continuous Tense?
Is this a wrong sentence?? kindly clarify it??
Since the inception of India, the political environment of the country has always been in troubled situation.
These sentences are taken from the ...
1
vote
0answers
37 views
Can present perfect tense be used with the adverb “earlier”?
I would like to know if present perfect tense can be used in the following sentences.
As I have said earlier, I don't like her at all.
I have been to your place earlier, but I didn't see anything.
0
votes
1answer
60 views
Double present perfect in a compound sentence [closed]
I have two questions concerning the use of the present perfect tense twice in a compound sentence:
a. He has accused John of the crime and provided evidence for it.
b. He has accused John of ...
0
votes
0answers
36 views
Present perfect continuous with simple present
Mary loves having a hot shower after she’s been swimming.
Could you tell me what the point of using the present perfect continuous in this sentence is?
What if we were to use the simple present?
0
votes
0answers
33 views
Is this sentence correct? “I have never seen any thieves in this town in the past 50 years.”
I would like to know if the sentence in the title of this thread is correct.
"I have never seen any thieves in this town in the past 50 years."
Here I used "never" instead of "have not" because I ...
2
votes
1answer
79 views
Why do American people use simple past instead of present perfect with “ever”? [duplicate]
I would say British English seems to adhere to English grammar books that I learned in school more than American English.
For example, I was taught that we use present perfect with "ever" because the ...
1
vote
0answers
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correct tense with 'exist'. has not existed?
It feels like last year hasn't existed.
I found myself writing this sentence, but then it suddenly felt weird. (I live in Britain but used to live in AmE speaking country)
https://www.grammarly.com/...
1
vote
1answer
27 views
Present perfect and reported speech
I would like to understand the following (because Google returns suspiciously low number of records for this form):
A: I saw him there.
B (joins the conversation): Hey, have you seen John ...
0
votes
2answers
58 views
Is the relation between the present perfect/progressive and the present time merely coincidental?
This is from an interview with Britt Robertson (American actress).
Q: You're the oldest of seven kids. What's that like?
It's hard. You know, they're all much younger than me and they're ...
-1
votes
1answer
73 views
Preposition “to” with places in present perfect
in BrE it is normal to say e.g.:
"She's been to Africa twice."
In the past simple, the preposition would be "in":
"She was in Africa twice."
Question 1: Why is there such a difference?
Question 2:...
3
votes
1answer
391 views
I have gone shopping or I went shopping
It says that we use present perfect for actions in the past that have a result now. No matter how much I try to figure out this, sometimes it is pretty hard.
I have also read the followings as well, ...
2
votes
3answers
89 views
Present Perfect tense in combination with 'for/in/since'
I'm currently having a discussion with a friend regarding the usage of a present perfect tense in combination with for/in/since etc.
It revolves around this sentence:
Traffic has been a big problem ...
6
votes
3answers
260 views
“What can have happened?” - valid or unnatural?
In a language forum frequented by Russians and me as the only native American English speaker, the question was raised whether "What can have happened to change him so much?" was a misprint. One of ...
0
votes
1answer
164 views
Have cried/have been crying [duplicate]
The book 'English Grammar in Use, Murphy' contains the following exercise under the Present perfect/Present perfect continuous chapter:
Are you OK? You look as if ____ (you / cry).
I have not found ...
1
vote
2answers
95 views
The present perfect usage
According to the Cambridge Grammar of the English Language (CGEL) by Geoffrey. K. Pullum and Rodney Huddlestone, there are four different uses of the present perfect tense: the continuative, the ...
2
votes
2answers
126 views
“shouldn't have {gone/been} to the party”
What is the correct rephrasing for this sentence?
I went to the party and now I regret it.
I shouldn't have gone to the party
I shouldn't have been to the party
0
votes
1answer
652 views
Is it correct to say “proud of having met you”, or should it be “proud to have met”?
Is it correct to say "I have proud of having met both of you"
I am proud of having met both of you. (past present?)
I am proud to have met both of you. (present perfect?)
What does the first one ...
1
vote
1answer
33 views
Present Perfect and Reichenbach's model of tense
I recently came across the following construction in some documentation I was reading:
This document describes a solution that has been applied during the migration.
To me, this seemed utterly ...
1
vote
1answer
76 views
What is difference between present perfect and present perfect continuous?
I've been studying English by the book "English Grammar in Use" for a month.
There is a Unit about present perfect and - continuous, also Exercises.
Please check the below exercises...
A. You meet a ...
0
votes
1answer
29 views
Use of Perfect Tenses, depending on the position of the phrase 'the first time'?
Today, I AM WEARING ice skates for the first time (ever).
Yesterday, I WORE ice skates for the first time (ever).
Tomorrow, I WILL WEAR ice skates for the first time (ever).
with the phrase ...
0
votes
1answer
705 views
“it was my dream since childhood” vs “it has been my dream since childhood”
i am not a native English and have a problem for understanding grammar.
Is the sentence bellow (A), explain that i am no longer have dream/ same dream after childhood? and is there any possibility ...
0
votes
1answer
55 views
Simple past of present perfect?
I wonder which one is correct:
David has made a decision to quit his job in spite of good salary.
David made a decision to quit his job in spite of good salary.
I think that 1 is correct, ...
1
vote
1answer
112 views
Simple Past vs. Present Perfect for recently completed actions
In the following dialogue:
A: Look! I have bought a new hat.
B: Nice! Where did you buy it?
or
C. Nice! Where have you bought it?
Which is correct, b or c? Or both?
1
vote
1answer
39 views
What’s the difference between “… a word you have said” and “…a word you said”?
Consider two sentences:
I don't understand a word you said
I don't understand a word you have said.
I know about usage of simple past and present perfect, but these kinds of sentences baffle me. ...
0
votes
1answer
60 views
Can I use simple past along with present perfect like this?
The sentence is, for example,
The researchers investigated and found that due to the rise
of AI bots, most of the existing works have focused on protecting
the email services from spam.
Is this ...
2
votes
1answer
145 views
Present perfect tense and specific time expression?
According to many grammar textbooks, present perfect tense should not be used with specific time expression. Therefore, it is grammatically wrong to say "I have sold my house on 10 December 2018."
...
0
votes
1answer
67 views
When to add “been” to present perfect tense [closed]
I have asked my parents to loan me some money.
He has saved enough money to buy a car.
She has read many books.
You have been really helpful today.
They have been married for three years.
These ...
0
votes
1answer
203 views
Which is grammatically correct? we're having rain or we've been having rain
Can you believe all of this rain we've been having?
or
Can you believe all of this rain we are having?
0
votes
1answer
28 views
Even after + present perfect vs present simple
I came across the following sentence posted at the city of Melbourne public transportation rules, referring to the duties of the transportation officers:
They can check your ticket and concession ...
0
votes
1answer
52 views
The meanings of these kinds of sentences such as “It has been three years.” “I have been married.” [closed]
I am learning the present perfect tense, and confusing a lot.
Here are three sentences.
a. It has been three years.
b. I have been married.
c. He has learnt a lot.
What do they mean exactly?
1
vote
1answer
109 views
Present Perfect and Simple Past in the same sentence
I have a short and simple question for you.
I know that in some circumstances I can use the Present Perfect and the Simple Past in the same sentence, but I am wondering if the following example is the ...
0
votes
2answers
101 views
At/from the outset
Consider the sentence:
We've been friends at/from the outset.
Which preposition is used?
1
vote
2answers
161 views
is “I've been scared of…” a passive sentence?
my teacher said the sentence "i've been scared of..." is not considered a passive voice. but I can't understand why (not sure if she was right about it). on the one hand, we have the "subject + have + ...
0
votes
1answer
37 views
Is it possible to use Present Perfect here?
There is a dialog between mum and son.
Mum:Mike, there is no food in the fridge,where is it?
Mike:Sorry mum, I've eaten all the food.
3
votes
1answer
277 views
Is it “since 1973, the festival has been running … ” or “since 1973, the festival has been run …” [closed]
I had this in a test. I wrote the first one, "has been running" and got it wrong and the teacher wrote the second one, "has been run". I want to understand who's correct and why.
2
votes
1answer
201 views
''Should you have decided'' Inversion
In an email I received from my university, the following is stated: ''Should you have decided to do the assignment, please send us an email.''
My question is whether the inversion and usage of should ...
1
vote
0answers
42 views
to last later for sb
I do not find "has lasted later for" appropriate here. Could sb plese explain it?
Cambridge Grammar of the English Language, page 711
iii Jill still goes to school, whereas Liz is already at ...
1
vote
1answer
3k views
“I have been travelling” or “I had been…” or “I was…”?
My teacher asked me where had I been because I was very late.
What would be the best answer?
I have been travelling from my hometown to here, so I have came late
I had been travelling from…
I ...
0
votes
2answers
47 views
Present perfect with a past temporal expression
I know the present perfect tense may not be used with temporal expressions which define a timeframe which does not include the present. For example:
WRONG: I've visited him on Monday.
However, when ...
2
votes
1answer
248 views
Switching tense in a sentence when describing events
I'm not sure whether the following sentences are grammatically correct:
A figure appeared at the window, waving happily.
and,
"Sure," he answered, pulling out a chair at the nearby table.
...
-1
votes
2answers
65 views
present perfect usage
I can't understand why we are using present perfect here:
to lose something temporarily by forgetting where you have put it
why this is not correct:
to lose something temporarily by forgetting ...
2
votes
1answer
177 views
How do durative sense verbs in simple perfective work with durative adverbial
I am reading the grammar book - A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language - these days. And now I am focusing on the 2 aspects - perfective and progressive - in Chapter 4: The semantics of the ...
0
votes
1answer
1k 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 ...
2
votes
1answer
241 views
“my email ID has changed” vs “my emil ID is/has been changed”
I want to ask one thing. Sometimes we hear people say
my email ID has changed.
As per my understanding present perfect tenses need a subject which is missing above.
I find these sentences little ...
0
votes
1answer
393 views
Why do we use forms of “have” with past participles to form the present perfect, as in “I have taken”?
We use has, had, or have with a past participle to form the present perfect. This contrasts with our use of a single verb for the present simple. We do not say “I taken the test,” but instead use the ...
