This is the first time/Past Simpel/Past Perfect/Present Simple

[Kotfor]

To tell you the truth I don't care who is right or wrong I just want to know why there are such drastically different views on this matter. I think you would be puzzled not less than I am if came across the same situation with, say, Russian for instance.

Plus the examples from post 7 also say that this construction is possible. I don't know what to think....... It is very odd.

[bhaisahab]

Oh, sorry, I meant the second one which was admitted to be not perfectly correct i.e. the third one. What about all the examples I have provided (post 7), are they also wrong?

Yes, they are wrong.

[Kotfor]

Thank you, bhaisahab

One more thing. If you say that this one is also wrong then I won't ask you again.


Last week was the first time we have had snow in years. (Taken from a grammar book)

[Barb_D]

I too find all of the example in #7 wrong.

Perhaps this is an American thing, but I don't find example #3 in the first post to be "very" wrong. My instinct is to use the past perfect (since it's clear that there were subequent past actions when it was viewed again), but I don't find simple past as wrong as you all seem to.

I have no problem with the "have" in the snow example because if the snow is still on the ground a few days later, there is a clear link to the present. Last week is recent enough to connect to the present situation.

[Kotfor]

I too find all of the example in #7 wrong.

Perhaps this is an American thing, but I don't find example #3 in the first post to be "very" wrong.

Isn't it strange that all these authors should make the same mistake? It's very strange to say the least.

[Barb_D]

If you look for examples of people saying "I seen it" you'll find more than you ever want to read.

I don't find any grammar error odd. Some just grate on the ears more than others. Your examples aren't nearly as horrific to me as "I seen it," or, for that matter, "very unique."

[Kotfor]

Agree.

As you see this sentence is ok to your mind

Last week was the first time we have had snow in years.

I just see that this sentence basically resembles this one

That was the first time we have had snow (in years).

They are the same.

[Barb_D]

"Last week" gives you a connection to the present that "That" does not.

[Kotfor]

Barb_D,
I see it this way

last week - that was - past simple
this week - this is - present perfect

Thank you. I think I understand this confusing issue.

[engee30]

Agree.

As you see this sentence is ok to your mind

Last week was the first time we have had snow in years.
I just see that this sentence basically resembles this one

That was the first time we have had snow (in years).

They are the same.

♥♦♣♠ NOT A TEACHER ♥♦♣♠
Look at these two sentences, Kotfor:
Last week was the first time... + present perfect
vs
Last week, it was the first time... + past perfect

There's a difference between the two which makes using the present perfect valid in one sentence, and invalid in the other.