0

Please explain the difference between the following sentences:

  1. Tom has a busy day so far.
  2. Tom has had a busy day so far.
Improve this question
1
  • 3
    [at time time I am speaking right now and starting at an undefined moment in the past", "Tom has had a busy day. But yesterday, he did not have a busy day. Tom has busy days on Mondays and Fridays."
    – Lambie
    Commented Jan 27, 2018 at 15:25

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
1

The second sentence means that Tom's day, up to the present moment, has been busy. It's specifically about what has happened up until now; it leaves open the possibility that some time later today Tom might have less to do than he has had so far today.

The first sentence is a little bit strange. The only context in which I might say it is if Tom has a schedule of things that he is required to do today, and I'm remarking on the fact that that schedule is unusually full. "I'm sorry, I can't give you an appointment with Tom this afternoon. Tom has a busy day so far, but I can let you know if someone cancels." Even then, I would probably phrase it differently --- "Tom has a busy day today" or something like that.

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .