Present perfect tense question

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Diamondrg  #208195  Tue, 21 Mar 06 08:47 PM

 Paco2004 wrote:
Aha! I see! I noticed I made a big mistake in pasting sentences. Yes, it should be "I have finished the work for two hours". Thank you for pointing out the mistake, Diamond.

paco

You are most welcome, paco.

  
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MrPedantic  #208200  Tue, 21 Mar 06 08:55 PM

I graduated from college ten years ago.] Fine.
I have been out of college for ten years.] Fine.
I have graduated from college for ten years."] No; "I graduated from college ten years ago."

They got married one year ago.] Fine.
They have been married for one year.] Fine.
" They have got married for one year" ] No. "They have been married for one year"; or "they got married a year ago".
"They have married each other for one year."] No. "They have been married to each other for one year."

I started school two years ago.] Fine
I have been in school for two years.] Fine.
May I also say "I have started school for two years."?] No; "I started school two years ago" or "I've been at school for two years".

Her father retired last year.] Fine.
He has been retired for one year.] Fine.
May I also say "He has retired for one year."?] No; "he has been retired for one year" or "he retired a year ago".

MrP

  
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Goodman  #208214  Tue, 21 Mar 06 10:40 PM

Excuse my butting in…

I think Paco meant:

you can say neither "I've finished the work three hours ago" nor "I have graduated Harvard University for ten years"

However, it's correct to say "I finished the work three hours ago".

Goodman

  
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paco2004  #208215  Tue, 21 Mar 06 10:52 PM

No! Absolutely, not!  I didn't  mean such a thing! Angry [:@] Angry [:@]  Angry [:@] Angry [:@] Angry [:@] Angry [:@]  Angry [:@] Angry [:@]  Angry [:@] Angry [:@]
The problem was settled by the remark of Diamond's.  Why didn't you read it ?!

paco

  
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Anonymous  #208304  Wed, 22 Mar 06 03:54 AM

You are all wonderful and excellent teachers to me. The explanantions from you are so clear to understand.

I aprreaciate your help so much.

Many thanks!

Lcchang/ Taipei

  
Goodman  #208322  Wed, 22 Mar 06 04:50 AM

"He has been retired for a year" - What is wrong with this sentence? I find it completely acceptable. It's funny how each one of us has a different angle toward a particular question....

Paco, no need to shout. It's ok. If you didn't mean it the way I'd presumed, perhaps we need to look at that question again. Big Smile [:D]

  
paco2004  #208325  Wed, 22 Mar 06 05:05 AM
Why did you write such a message where you told something in a way as if I wrote what in fact I have never written?

paco   
  
Lcchang  #208398  Wed, 22 Mar 06 08:52 AM

No offense. But please calm down everyone.

Poor Lcchang

  
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pieanne  #208412  Wed, 22 Mar 06 09:19 AM
 Goodman wrote:

"He has been retired for a year" - What is wrong with this sentence? I find it completely acceptable. It's funny how each one of us has a different angle toward a particular question....

There's nothing wrong with the sentence. Who said there was?  Thinking [*-)]

  
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I'm glad to help, but I'm not a native! And please excuse my typos...
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