Search results for 'tag:Difference between tag:Present perfect' matching tags 'Difference between' and 'Present perfect'

Re: Present perfect simple and past perfect simple

Anonymous — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 08:32:16 GMT

lemon
Hi, can someone please explain the difference between those two tenses and when I have to use which?
thx in advance!

Present perfect is used when some action happened in the past but result remains now, action completed in the recent past but result not finished yet,and
past perfect is used when any action happened before another past action.

Grammar help

Intrigue — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:35:20 GMT

Hi all,

I have problem with tenses,espeacially present perfect,present perfect continuous,future perfect,future perfect continuous.What is the difference between-

I have worked here since June and I am working here since June

"I will have done" and "I will have been doing".

Also,please recommend me some good sites from where i should learn.

Re: Difference b/w presentperfect and pasttense

Kooyeen — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 16:03:08 GMT

Hi coby, welcome to englishforums.
That's a common problem among learners. It's been discussed several times, so try the search function of this forum (top right corner, there's the search box). Search for "simple past" and "present perfect", and you'll definitely find tons of threads about the difference between them.
I can only say that often there's not much difference, and either could be used in a certain context. Looking at your sentences, and imagining a probable context, I'd say both of them are very likely to be ok in your case.

from abc

Anonymous — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 15:14:32 GMT

Hello friends,

I want to know to difference between past tense and present perfect. I always get confused with these pls help me.Give some examples.

Re: a Few grammar questions

CalifJim — Sat, 17 May 2008 00:12:40 GMT

Anonymous
Explain why the verb âTo Beâ is not a non-progressive verb?

It can be used in progressive tenses -- although this is not common. (The baby is being difficult this morning.)

Anonymous
I know the simple present never talks about the present ...

You have false knowledge. I wonder what makes you think this.

Anonymous
Why does the present tense not exist in English?

Again, you are mistaken. The present tense exists in English. Where are you getting all these crazy ideas?

Anonymous
What are perpendicular and parallel actions?

I've never heard of this distinction.

Anonymous
What is the difference between the Present Perfect and the Present Perfect Progressive?

Present Perfect is formed with the auxiliary have and the past participle of some verb: have seen, has done, have lived. Present Perfect Progressive is formed with the auxiliaries have and been and the present participle of some verb: have been seeing, has been doing, has been living.

a Few grammar questions

Anonymous — Fri, 16 May 2008 23:47:12 GMT

Hi everyone,

I have a few grammar questions and I don't know how to answer them:

Explain why the verb âTo Beâ is not a non-progressive verb?

I know the simple present never talks about the present but what can be an exception to this rule?

Why does the present tense not exist in English?

What are perpendicular and parallel actions?

and

What is the difference between the Present Perfect and the Present Perfect Progressive?

Thank you in advance if you take the time to help me :)

Re: Please, help me with this question

CalifJim — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 23:17:31 GMT

Anonymous
... I have read a magazine * today ,how to explain that we don't use the Simple Past, but the Present Perfect tense here? Because the action of reading a magazine happened today, time is definite! ...

The present perfect shows indefiniteness with respect to time, yes. But you can restrict the indefiniteness with a since clause.

I have read a magazine since I saw you last.

today is a special adverb that can be used in place of a since clause with the present perfect, because (unlike adverbs like yesterday) it includes the moment of speaking:

I have read a magazine [since the beginning of this day / today].

Anonymous
... what's the difference between:

I read a magazine today. ... and I have read a magazine today. ...

The difference is subtle. The present perfect is conceptually a step removed from the real action of the simple past. The present perfect is indirect compared to the direct simple past.

I read a magazine today expresses what happened. It tells what I did directly.

I have read a magazine today expresses the existence of a state resulting from what happened. It tells what I have on my list of 'things done today'. It tells what I did, but only indirectly through the implication of what's on 'my list', which is what the sentence is really focusing on.

Re: Please, help me with this question

Anonymous — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:07:39 GMT

Hi Clive,

Thanks for helping me. I understood your explanation. But, how to explain the difference between these two senteces without any context:

I read the magazine today .(simple past)

and

I have read the magazine today. (present perfect tense)

Plese, help me once more because I really need to understand this difference.

Thanks!!!

Please, help me with this question

Anonymous — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:44:38 GMT

Hi!

An explanation, please. Present Perfect tense means past time related to present time and one of its uses is: an action that happened at an indefinite time in the past, e.g.: I have travelled to Athens. But in the sentence: I have read a magazine * today ,how to explain that we don't use the Simple Past, but the Present Perfect tense here? Because the action of reading a magazine happened today, time is definite!

2) So what's the difference between:

- I read a magazine today. (simple past tense)

and

- I have read a magazine today. (present perfect tense)

Thanks a lot!!!

Re: usage of present perfect (with and without ing ending)

Clive — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 01:48:02 GMT

Hi,

why can't I say "I spoke to her this morning." but "I spoke to her yesterday."

But what is the difference between them?

There's no difference here, except the fact that you are talking about two different times in the past.

Best wishes, Clive