have been

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thomas615

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Are these sentences OK? Did I use "present perfect" right?

I have been unable to get hold of the principal's assistant. I will call her again today and hopefully I will get hold of her.
 

bhaisahab

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Are these sentences OK? Did I use "present perfect" right?

I have been unable to get hold of the principal's assistant. I will call her again today and hopefully I will get hold of her.

Yes and yes.
 

SoothingDave

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I'd say "ahold."
 

emsr2d2

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Really? "Ahold" as one word. In BrE, "to get hold of someone" is fine so the original is OK. We might use "to get a hold of someone" but it would definitely be two words.
 

MikeNewYork

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I don't use it, but it exists.
 

SoothingDave

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"Hold" would be fine, but it seems stilted to me without the "a."
 

MikeNewYork

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I agree, but I spell "a hold" as two words.
 

bhaisahab

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I would not say "ahold".
 
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