 Re: Finished adverbs with the present perfect
Hi,
There seems to be a difference:
1.- last week -finished time: if it were Wednesday today, 'last week' would refer to the whole seven-day period that went from two Sundays (Mondays) ago to last Sunday (Monday) -> 'Usually' past simple.
2.- the last week- time up to now- the period of seven days leading up to now (i.e. in this case, from last Thursday to today (we made it Wednesday in the example). --> Present perfect.
The problem is that we don't have this difference in our language. I do agree with you, and I think we'd better say 'for a week' (rather than 'the last week', even if they are both correct). Personally, I do sympathise with my teacher (her blue, blue eyes, those dimples when she smiles...no, just kidding!!). I think she has come to realise that this 'last' here is the cause of all the confusion regarding the use of the present perfect so she must have concluded something like 'let's get rid of LAST and everything will be fine'. We are also told that combinations 'since...ago' are unacceptable, which I have also found to be untrue but, to my mind these 'white lies' make the descriptive and prescriptive grammar easier for us learners to understand, even if only to find out how inaccurate rules can be. And this is the point I wanted to make here. When you 'native speakers' discuss about grammar tend to highlight all the exceptions and flaws in rules and the discrepancies between rules and real usage. I must admit I really enjoy reading those discussions and think they are great. However, for us -learners-, grammar must be something solid, strict, consistent, with clear cut or hard and fast rules always applying -but for the odd fixed expression and idioms-... At least, this is what I read between the lines in Swan's advice. Maybe descriptive grammar fails to explain how a language really works but it is the only grammar non-native speakers can rely on and must turn to when in doubt. Incidentally, teachers seem to have decided that, in spite of everything, it is the best way to deal with a gang of fussy students like those in my class.
Regards and please, go on reflecting upon language, discussing and teaching us.  |