Just/ago

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Newguest

#492155 Sun, 23 Mar 08 03:50 PM

There's the sentence: I've just noticed it a minute ago. Is it a good sentence? On the one hand I used the present perfect tense because "I've just seen something," but on the other hand I added that it happened a minute ago, and as far as I know we use the word "ago" only in the past simple tense.

So, maybe it should be: I just noticed it a minute ago.

thanks

Newguest

Joined on Sun, Feb 25 2007

Contributing Member (1,223)

Tenses, Present Perfect, Past Simple

Marius Hancu

#492158 Sun, 23 Mar 08 04:04 PM

<> Being so close to now, I'd use I've just ...

Marius Hancu

Joined on Wed, Apr 26 2006

Montreal, Canada

Veteran Member (11,673)

Yoong Liat

#492159 Sun, 23 Mar 08 04:04 PM

Newguest

Hi

There's the sentence: I've just noticed it a minute ago. Is it a good sentence? On the one hand I used the present perfect tense because "I've just seen something," but on the other hand I added that it happened a minute ago, and as far as I know we use the word "ago" only in the past simple tense.

So, maybe it should be: I just noticed it a minute ago.

thanks

I'd write: I noticed it a minute ago. (I think 'just' is not necessary.)

Yoong Liat

Joined on Mon, Sep 4 2006

Singapore

Veteran Member (6,092)

Yoong Liat

Tenses, Present Perfect, Past Simple

Newguest

#492177 Sun, 23 Mar 08 05:16 PM

Marius Hancu
<> Being so close to now, I'd use I've just ...

So, would it be the right construction: I've just..and ago??? Is it possible?

Newguest

Constructions

Yoong Liat

#492180 Sun, 23 Mar 08 05:26 PM

I've just seen something," but on the other hand I added that it happened a minute ago, and as far as I know we use the word "ago" only in the past simple

I've just seen something. (fine)

I saw something a minute ago. (correct)

Yoong Liat

Past Simple

Kaos

#492183 Sun, 23 Mar 08 05:52 PM

Poster
I've just noticed it a minute ago.

Mmmmm... you put a minute ago, so shouldn't it be in past tense?

I noticed it a minute ago.

But if the exact time is not mentioned, then it is fine to state:

I've just noticed it a while ago.

I've noticed it just now.

Kaos

Joined on Thu, Jun 1 2006

fr0m a k@0tic VV0rld

Junior Member (63)

Tenses, Past Tenses

RayH

#492194 Sun, 23 Mar 08 06:49 PM

Newguest,
You are correct. I would use this formulation for something that had just happened:
I just noticed it a minute ago.
I would not use:
I've just noticed it a minute ago.

For example:
Wife: Hey, the neighbor's dog is in the yard.
Husband: Yea, I just noticed [a short while ago / a minute ago].

RayH