Click here to play

Past Perfect / Present Perfect

   Share on Facebook  
jack112  #215251  Fri, 14 Apr 06 09:43 AM

Are both of these correct? What is the difference in meaning between them? Does it matter which one I use and which one is better and why?

1. I have been parking there for 2 years and I haven't had any problems until yesterday where I parked elsewhere. (If this is fine, why? Why not past perfect?)

2. I have been parking there for 2 years and I hadn't had any problems until yesterday where I parked elsewhere. (Is this one better than #1 because I have two past events so ' hadn't ' should be used? not ' haven't ' ?)

Thanks.

  
Top 100 Contributor
Joined on Thu, Jul 22 2004
Regular Member (715)
Click here to play!
Clive  #215322  Fri, 14 Apr 06 02:44 PM

Hi,

1. I have been parking there for 2 years and I haven't had any problems until yesterday when I parked elsewhere. (If this is fine, why? Why not past perfect?) You need past perfect.

2. I have been parking there for 2 years and I hadn't had any problems until yesterday when I parked elsewhere. (Is this one better than #1 because I have two past events so ' hadn't ' should be used? not ' haven't ' ?) Yes, it's better.

Best wishes, Clive

  
Top 10 Contributor
Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004
Canada
Veteran Member (20,484)
ModeratorTeachers
El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo
AddThis Feed Button RSS Feed: ESL General English Grammar Questions
© 2008 MediaCET Ltd.
Terms and Conditions