[Grammar] Many people have liked/read the book.

[NAL123]

1) Many people have liked the book.

2) Many people have read the book.

3) Many people liked the book.

Q) Are all of them correct? If so, does (1) suggest those people started to like the book in the past and they still like it, while (2) and (3) only suggest they read/liked it in the past?

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

1) Many people have liked the book.

People liked it in the past, and people continue to like it today.

2) Many people have read the book.

People read it in the past, and people continue to read it today.

3) Many people liked the book.

People liked it in the past. This does not tell us whether people still like it now. Maybe they do, maybe they don't.

Q) Are all of them correct?

Yes, they're all grammatical and natural.

If so, does (1) suggest those people liked the book in the past and people [not necessarily the same people] still like it, while (2) and (3) only suggest they read/liked it in the past?

Yes, as corrected. People might still read and like it now. We can't tell without more information.

Now you know!