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INGLS INSTRUMENTAL I Unit 2.

Present Perfect and Simple Past The contrast between these two verb forms concerns the following points (cf. Leech 19872, Meaning and the English Verb. Harlow: Longman, pp. 40-44): a) Continuation up to the present time (Present Perfect) vs completely finished action (Simple Past): He has sung in this choir for ten years vs He sang... b) Indefinite past time (Present Perfect) vs definite past time (Simple Past) : I've read that novel vs I read that novel last year. c) Present result (Present Perfect) vs no present result (Simple Past: I have injured my leg: it aches I injured my leg last month: now it is O.K. But: Simple Past for present results of unique historical events: Don Quixotte was writen by Cervantes. d) Sometimes they are interchangeable (a slight difference of viewpoint): Now where did I put my glasses? (emphasis on the moment) Now where have I put my glasses? (emphasis on the present result).

Adverbials in relation to perfect and past (cf. Leech 19872, pp. 44-47) 1. Adverbials associated with the Past tenses: - A week ago, earlier this year, last Monday, the other day, yesterday evening. - At four o'clock, in the morning, on Tuesday, then, soon, next, after breakfast (with the Present Perfect they can have only an indefinite or iterative use). 2. Adverbials associated with the Present Perfect: - So far, up to now, hitherto, since Thursday, since I met you. - Lately, latterly (BrE). - For the present, for now, for the time being. - SINCE: the starting point of an action that continues up to the present. - FOR: duration. - JUST: a recently completed action. - EVER / NEVER: at any / no time in the past until now. 3. Adverbials combining with either the Present Perfect or the Past: - Today, this month, this year, this century: virtually interchangeable; for some speakers with the Present Perfect the period is not yet over. - Recently, just: interchangeable as adverbs of the near past. - Lately, latterly: with Present Perfect in BrE. - Just now: generally only with the Past. - Always, ever, never.

4. Adverbials combining with either Perfect or Past but with a clear difference of meaning: - NOW: with Present Perfect: present time. with Simple Past: a substitute for 'then' (at this point of the story). - ONCE: with Present Perfect: contrast with twice, three times... with Simple Past: on a certain occasion. - ALREADY, STILL, YET, BEFORE: with Present Perfect: as early/late as now with Simple Past: as early/late as then.

Contrasts with Spanish concerning the present perfect - Be careful because in Spanish the Present Perfect may indicate that the action is finished (see the contrast in English): Hemos estado viviendo en Londres desde Septiembre pasado / tres aos (y siete en Pars). We have lived in London since last September: stateup-to-the-present. We lived in London for three years and in Paris for seven: past, finished action. - Present in Spanish / Present Perfect in English. (The same with Spanish: Past / English: Past Perfect). Present tense + desde hace + time expression: La espero desde hace media hora / I have waited for her for half an hour. Hace + time expression + que + present tense: Hace poco que la conozco / I've known her for a short time. (Es) la primera vez que + present tense: Es la primera vez que te veo triste / It's the first time I've seen you sad. Contexts in which the verb 'llevar' is used: Llevar + time expression + gerund: Llevo diez aos esperndolo / I have been waiting for him for ten years. Llevar + time expression + sin + infinitive: Llevo seis das sin comer / I haven't eaten in six days. Indicating near past: Vengo a verte / I've come to see you.

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