#1  
Old 25-Aug-2006, 17:53
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 37
Member Type: Student or Learner
Default tenses 2

1. I have never seen such a great performance. {It means this is the best}
But my question is: Does it mean I never SAW such a great performance before? (but now i see it)

2. This is the nicest boy that I have ever seen. Does it mean from the past to now, this is the nicest boy I meet?

3. What does “I haven’t eaten chicken” mean? It means I didn’t eat chicken before. (Actions which happened at some unknown time in the past.) Or I didn’t eat chicken before, and I am still not eating chicken now? (Actions which started in the past and are still continuing)

4. What does "I have now written a letter." mean? The problem is: What does "now" here mean? It means I just finished writing a letter?

Thanks for replies
  #2  
Old 25-Aug-2006, 18:51
Editor, UsingEnglish.com
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
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Native Language: British English
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Member Type: English Teacher
Default Re: tenses 2

1 It could be that youi are seeing it now or that you have seen it recently.
2 Yes
3 It depends on the context- it could refer to the person's life, or the meal at the time of speaking.
4 Yes
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