Questions tagged [present-perfect]
Questions related to the English Perfect Construction, which is sometimes called "the present perfect tense".
485
questions
0
votes
0answers
22 views
Has vs had grammaticality for something that happened last week [migrated]
In my English class, my professor posed the following question:
Manuel (has / had) asked Pedro to help him fix his computer last week.
He said the answer was has, but that seems present tense to ...
0
votes
0answers
10 views
Actions Which Terminate at Present Moment [migrated]
Which tense should I use for actions which terminate exactly at the present time and the final point of the action is the present moment ? Can present perfect be used for this type of situation ...
0
votes
0answers
49 views
Present Perfect form of “manage to do something” [migrated]
Yesterday a friend told me she was having a problem with an assignment and I couldn't help her. Today I was curious whether she had solved it, so I wanted to ask:
Did you manage to solve the problem?
...
3
votes
1answer
111 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 ...
0
votes
0answers
37 views
Which difference between this two sentences? [duplicate]
The children didn't work today.
The children have not worked today.
2
votes
0answers
45 views
Have got + adjective (Present Perfect)
this is a question most suited to British speakers!
I am aware of the difference between the British and the American "get" conjugation (got-gotten). Now, I have come across the sentence "My cough has ...
-1
votes
2answers
75 views
Can it be that I did try that ice cream, but have not tried it?
English is not my first language, but I reached fluency, and the language barrier only hinders me rarely. One such case is with the choice of either past indefinite or present perfect tense.
For ...
0
votes
1answer
66 views
Past Simple and Present Perfect
In the book Grammar Lab, there were examples of words that would give away the tense, for example, the words "yesterday, last week, the last time, when, etc" and "since, for, yet, still, so far, etc" ...
0
votes
1answer
40 views
Proper propositions in the present perfect
I found a sentence: The levels of biodiversity have decreased in the last three decades.
I thought the present perfect tense usually requires "for " or "since ", but this sentence has "in the last ...
0
votes
1answer
76 views
What does “I've been sick lately” imply?
The sentence "I've been sick" can either mean:
-I'm still sick;
-I was sick;
Although, putting a "lately" at the end of the sentence implies what? That I am still sick, or that I was sick in a time ...
3
votes
1answer
130 views
I would like to have met her
The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language, page 148, reads
I would like to have met her and I would have liked to have met her, which are often used to convey the same meaning as I would have ...
0
votes
1answer
48 views
Present perfect with since interpretations
I have a couple of present perfect + since examples below.
I have studied two books since 9.15.
We have taught at this school since 1965.
They have been at the hotel since last Tuesday.
...
0
votes
2answers
298 views
has been responsible vs was responsible
Here's the example sentence.
"There have been arguments about who was/has been responsible for the accident."
I'm not a native speaker. In my language(which is Chinese), when you cause an accident, ...
0
votes
1answer
85 views
Present perfect and simple past in same sentence “have” and “had” [closed]
I have seen the other questions similar to this topic, but they all explain how the sentence is in present perfect and simple past. My question is, I would like to know why, or what the grammatical ...
1
vote
0answers
30 views
Using present perfect in recent past question?
The recent water crisis in Johannesburg ____ global attention.
A) gained
B) has gained
I think both of the answers are correct. Because it's talking about the recent past then has gained can be used....
3
votes
1answer
110 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 ...
1
vote
1answer
93 views
“Has he come yet'” vs “Has he not come yet?”
I referred to the Michael Swan's Practical English Usage, regarding the use of yet as an adverb (chapter 539.3 yet).
The following examples are given below:
The postman has not come yet.
Has the ...
0
votes
2answers
111 views
I've just deleted the message OR I just deleted the message
Context: I was about to send you a "grammatical stuff", and that's when it hit me: "She's already studying a lot of things." That's why I've just deleted the message above.
Can I use present perfect ...
0
votes
1answer
715 views
“was called” vs. “has been called”
I know the basics about past tense vs present perfect tense, but I'm wondering in some situations whether the "connection to the present" (which seems to be a necessity for the present perfect tense) ...
-1
votes
2answers
51 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
39 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
26 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
50 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 ...
2
votes
1answer
82 views
Can present perfect tense be used with the adverb “earlier”?
I would like to know if the present perfect construction can be used in the two following sentences that employ the adverb earlier:
As I have said earlier, I don't like her at all.
I have been to ...
0
votes
1answer
155 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 ...
2
votes
1answer
326 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
38 views
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
31 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
65 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
139 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
2k 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
116 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
291 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
943 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
129 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
521 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
3k 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
64 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
151 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
40 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
3k 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
63 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
178 views
Simple Past vs. Present Perfect for recently completed actions [duplicate]
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
49 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
67 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
251 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
431 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
476 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
33 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?
