
Interested in Language
Hello,
I learnt that words like just and already are signal words for Present Perfect.
I have already watched this movie.
However, in my favorite TV serial "According to Jim" they often use such words in combination with Simple Past.
Didn't the shower already start?
You just stepped in a gum.
I just said it like 2 seconds ago.
So, are these sentences grammatically wrong?
Of course they are understandable, but I would like to know their "quality".
Maybe there is a difference between American English and British English?
Thank you!
P.S. I'm sure I listened well...
Cheers!
what?
present perfect and 'just' meaning a very short time ago?
I have just bought a car.
I just bought a car.
I just said it like two seconds ago.
I have just said it like two seconds ago.
[I am not a teacher]
The principle of the least effort makes more and more people reluctant to use the present perfet in speech (it would be interesting to see if this applies to written English too), when they can make sense using a simple verbal form. As for the US/UK dichotomy, I'm positive I hear such inaccuracies everyday on British soil. Looks like a spreading disease.
Ouch, I just caught it !![]()
I didn't know that the adverb 'just' would go with the present perfect.'just' meaning 'now' would not call for the perfect tense.
I just said it.
I have just said it.
![]()
wait...
why are they both wrong?
I just said it like two seconds ago.
I have just said it like two seconds ago.
thanks
I guess we are (like) using informal English.
yep, its nothing but slang/informal where theres no correct use of grammar or grammar rules, take this example:
I don't have anything--> I don't have nothing
them native speakers are not really expected to adjust grammar in their everyday English, neither are we in our everyday lge
Last edited by Trance Freak; 05-Dec-2009 at 16:33.
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