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#2 (permalink) Sat Aug 09, 2008 6:51 am tense in since-clause |
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Hi Sitifan
The past simple is best if you are referring to a definite point in past time. In your sentence, the use of the past simple (since she came) suggests that the starting point for Coco's learning was basically the same time that she came to Taiwan.
If you use the present perfect (since she has come), the time that Coco began learning Chinese is not definite. It only tells you that Coco began learning Chinese sometime between her arrival in Taiwan and now. For example, if Coco came to Taiwan 5 years ago, possibly she began learning Chinese 2 years ago. In other words, it's not clear when she began. . . Also note that the use of the present perfect simple in the beginning of the sentence ("Coco has learned Chinese...") tends to suggest that Coco is now finished learning Chinese. If she is still learning, it would be better to use the present perfect continuous ("Coco has been learning..."). . |
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Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 8265 Location: USA
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#3 (permalink) Sat Aug 09, 2008 7:28 am Tense in since-clause |
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1. I have been teaching English for six months.
2. I have taught English for six months.
3. I taught English for six months.
#1 means "I started doing it six months ago and am still doing it."
#2 possibly means the same as # 1, or could mean that once in the past I taught English for a period of six months.
#3 means once in the past I taught English for a period of six months.
Am I right? _________________ Thank you very much for your reply. |
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Sitifan I'm here quite often ;-)

Joined: 12 Mar 2008 Posts: 260 Location: Taiwan
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Alan Co-founder

Joined: 27 Sep 2003 Posts: 9917 Location: UK
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| Meaning of a sentence: The education they always regretted not having would... | Grammar usage; Never, never give up or never, ever give up |