[Grammar] Present perfect or past simple

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Will17

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Hello!

Is the use the present perfect correct, here, please?


"Helen has decided to go on holiday, this is postcard from her".

Thanks a lot
W
 

5jj

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Is the use the of present perfect correct, here, please?

"Helen has decided to go on holiday, this is postcard from her".
Yes - if the postcard is giving you the news of her decision.
Unlikely if the postcard is from the holidaying Helen.

Incidentally, a semi-colon would be better than a comma between these independent clauses.
 

Will17

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Yes - if the postcard is giving you the news of her decision.
Unlikely if the postcard is from the holidaying Helen.

Incidentally, a semi-colon would be better than a comma between these independent clauses.


Thank you 5.

So if the postcard is from the holidaying Helen, would it be better to write:

Helen has decided to go on holiday ; this is a postcard from her. ?

Thank you
W
 

montfan

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"This is A postcard from her"
 

5jj

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So if the postcard is from the holidaying Helen, would it be better to write:

Helen has decided to go on holiday ; this is a postcard from her.
Yes, though I, as a speaker of BrE, would be more likely to say, "Helen decided..."

Thanks, montfan; sorry, Will. I didn't spot the missing article.
 

bhaisahab

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Yes, though I, as a speaker of BrE, would be more likely to say, "Helen decided..."

Thanks, montfan; sorry, Will. I didn't spot the missing article.
I wouldn't use the present perfect there. I agree with your previous comments:
"Yes - if the postcard is giving you the news of her decision.
Unlikely if the postcard is from the holidaying Helen."
 

5jj

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I wouldn't use the present perfect there. I agree with your previous comments:
"Yes - if the postcard is giving you the news of her decision.
Unlikely if the postcard is from the holidaying Helen."
Your words appear to suggest that I did use the present perfect. Have I missed something?
 
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