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Poll: I ...... them for the last month.
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I ...... them for the last month.

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  #11  
Old 13-Jan-2007, 16:06
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Default Re: Past or Present Perfect?

Hi


Tdol is right !

For the last month = for the last 30 days . Therefore, present perfect should be used.
"Last month" requires past tense.

Regards
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  #12  
Old 13-Jan-2007, 16:54
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Default Re: Past or Present Perfect?

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Originally Posted by Tdol View Post
For the last month = in the period equal to a month coming up to now (not a calendar month, but an unfinished 30-day period), so it's prenet perfect.

I think "For the last month" functions the same like "in the last year", which means between 365 days ago and now or from 365 days ago till now.
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  #13  
Old 14-Jan-2007, 05:45
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Default Re: Past or Present Perfect?

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Originally Posted by retro View Post
I think "For the last month" functions the same like "in the last year", which means between 365 days ago and now or from 365 days ago till now.
Hi Retro

Yes, you are right but the correct phrase is "for the last year"

Regards
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  #14  
Old 14-Jan-2007, 17:42
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Default Re: Past or Present Perfect?

Quote:
Originally Posted by teia_petrescu View Post
Hi Retro

Yes, you are right but the correct phrase is "for the last year"

Regards
Hi Teia,

ENGLISH PAGE - Present Perfect prefers "in the last year."
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  #15  
Old 15-Jan-2007, 11:49
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Default Re: Past or Present Perfect?

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Originally Posted by retro View Post
Hi Teia,

ENGLISH PAGE - Present Perfect prefers "in the last year."
Hi

Thank you. I have read the explanations. However, I don`t agree to this type of usage : in the last year/ week, etc. I prefer "for the last year/week, etc., or "this year/week"..-they seem more Standard English to me, that is why I avoid using "in the last year". I use Present Perfect with "in the past two/three, [etc.] years, as well.

Regards,

Last edited by Teia; 15-Jan-2007 at 12:05.
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  #16  
Old 03-Feb-2007, 11:39
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Smile Re: Past or Present Perfect?

in this sentence last is the confusing word but after some words like in, for, during + the + last/past + Noun we use present perfect tense
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  #17  
Old 21-Feb-2007, 13:04
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Default Re: Past or Present Perfect?

Quote:
Originally Posted by EGrammar_Learner View Post
I haven't seen them for the last one month.

It is still going on that I have not seen them the whole last month until now. That's why I use present perfect here. Am I right? Thanks.
yes you are right.
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  #18  
Old 25-Feb-2007, 15:57
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Default Re: Past or Present Perfect?

for the last month indicates that it is finished. So I would choose the past
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  #19  
Old 26-Feb-2007, 04:56
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Default Re: Past or Present Perfect?

Last month is finished, but for the past month means for a period equal to a month leading up to now.
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  #20  
Old 09-Apr-2007, 10:06
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Default Re: Past or Present Perfect?

Quote:
Originally Posted by EGrammar_Learner View Post
I haven't seen them for the last one month.

It is still going on that I have not seen them the whole last month until now. That's why I use present perfect here. Am I right? Thanks.

i agree with you
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