suprunp
Senior Member
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2011
- Member Type
- Student or Learner
- Native Language
- Ukrainian
- Home Country
- Ukraine
- Current Location
- Ukraine
“It is not the same,” Fuka-Eri said. “You changed.”
“I changed,” Tengo repeated.
Fuka-Eri nodded.
“How have I changed?”
(H. Murakami; 1Q84)
Uses of the Past Simple Tense
- when the action clearly took place at a definite time even though this time is not mentioned:
How did you get your present job?
(Змиева (Zmieva); Practical English Grammar Handbook)
This is a handbook from when I studied at my university.
Apart from what is said in the handbook I (we) was taught categorically that if one begins a question with the word "how" one must not use perfect tenses at all.
I dare to suppose that this is not quite right and maybe the way it should be explained is slightly different where you teach or study.
Am I right?
(I have given the extract from "1Q84" as an example that, in my book, shows a situation in which the speaker does not know a definite time (or thinks it was a gradual process) and, therefore, is free to use the present perfect.)
Thanks.
“I changed,” Tengo repeated.
Fuka-Eri nodded.
“How have I changed?”
(H. Murakami; 1Q84)
Uses of the Past Simple Tense
- when the action clearly took place at a definite time even though this time is not mentioned:
How did you get your present job?
(Змиева (Zmieva); Practical English Grammar Handbook)
This is a handbook from when I studied at my university.
Apart from what is said in the handbook I (we) was taught categorically that if one begins a question with the word "how" one must not use perfect tenses at all.
I dare to suppose that this is not quite right and maybe the way it should be explained is slightly different where you teach or study.
Am I right?
(I have given the extract from "1Q84" as an example that, in my book, shows a situation in which the speaker does not know a definite time (or thinks it was a gradual process) and, therefore, is free to use the present perfect.)
Thanks.