Linked Questions
283 questions linked to/from Canonical Post #2: What is the perfect, and how should I use it?
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Spoke and Have Spoken
What is the difference between
I spoke to him.
and
I have spoken to him.
Does the former mean at this moment and the latter mean it had happened in the past?
Appreciate insight into this.
- 143
18
votes
3
answers
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views
When is using the past perfect tense not necessary?
Is it more natural to speak in simple past or past perfect when explaining past events to a friend? It seems like Americans use more simple past in everyday life than past perfect. I found this ...
- 1,751
9
votes
2
answers
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What is the difference between "were" and "have been"?
What is the difference between "were" and "have been", and are these sentences gramatically correct?
1) some of the best known writers of detective fiction in the twentieth century were women.
2) ...
- 91
9
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3
answers
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For the last Х years - with which tense
As far as I know "For the last Х years" requires the Present Perfect (continuous) and means that the action is still taking place.
I have been building a house for the last three years.
However, I ...
- 2,810
3
votes
2
answers
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"I hope you enjoyed..." vs "I hope you have enjoyed..."
Are both of these correct? What is the difference? (the word "enjoyed" is not specific, any verb could be used) My thoughts are that both of these wording are correct and mean the same thing, "have" ...
- 31
5
votes
1
answer
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"was created" vs "has been created"
When I create something in the past and do not mention the time, the first thing that comes to my mind is: Present Prefect (PP)
I'd use the PP to describe an action when the time is not important and ...
- 277
2
votes
1
answer
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views
Does "always" go with Perfect Tense?
Can I use always, which is usually used with Present Simple (e.g. "I always eat hotdogs with mustard."), with Present Perfect?
Almost always the people that come to this country have used a gun.
- 7,126
4
votes
2
answers
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Present perfect simple or past simple with "Over the last years"
"I composed music over the last twelve years, but almost quit for many reasons. So now I just play songs on my guitar". Why doesn't the past tense sound correct with "over the last twelve years"? Is ...
- 3,546
5
votes
2
answers
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"Had" vs. "had been"
He had remained president for 20 years and he had done nothing for the benefits of people.
He had been remained president for 20 years and he had done nothing for the benefits of people.
Are ...
- 361
5
votes
1
answer
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Difference between "has + verbed" and "had + verbed"
This is something which came up in my last question.
As far as I know "had + verb" is done (started & finished) in the past. What's about "has + verb"?
Can anyone please explain me the ...
- 928
1
vote
4
answers
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What tense is "has became"?
What tense is "has became" in the sentence below
"Drug policy reform has also became a topic of international debate"?
I know the verb "become" and came across "has become" but haven't seen "has ...
- 11
6
votes
2
answers
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What is the difference between "had had to" and "have had to"?
What is the difference between "had had to" and "have had to"? Please provide examples and elaborate explanations. What do each mean in the sentence?
- 131
9
votes
2
answers
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"Have had" versus "had"
How does the usage of "have had" and "had" differ?
Here is my example from my other question:
People who have had their belongings taken will turn into miserable people.
Here are the things I ...
- 423
2
votes
2
answers
30k
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Explain usage of “have had been” [duplicate]
I am very much confused with the usage of Have-Had-Has.
I know "have" is used in Present perfect whereas "had" is used in past perfect.
Then what about the usage of "have had" combination in a ...
- 123
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2
answers
63k
views
What happened? What had happened? or What has happened?
I was reading a book and stumbled upon this piece:
Not one person, dead or alive. Where was everyone? What had happened?
Can someone explain to me why this sentence is in past perfect? What is the ...
