[Grammar] studied vs have studied in present situation answering a past action

Status
Not open for further replies.

Esidarap

New member
Joined
Dec 29, 2014
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Chinese
Home Country
Malaysia
Current Location
Australia
Assume this is the scenario. I need to study for 3 hours every week and I have done it. Today is Sunday and while I am playing cards, mum walks in.


Mum asks "Why are you playing cards and not studying?"


(1) My answer " I am playing cards and not studying because I have studied my designated 3 hours yesterday."

(2) My answer " I am playing cards and not studying because I studied my designated 3 hours yesterday."


Which answer is grammatically correct? And why ?


My personal opinion : Since I have the word "yesterday", logically, it seems like (2)is correct. However, (1) somehow seems correct too but I don't know why (I might be wrong).


Thanks for your help.
 

TheParser

VIP Member
Joined
Dec 8, 2009
Member Type
Other
Native Language
English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
***** NOT A TEACHER *****


Hello, Esidarap:

I think that #1 would be acceptable if you just deleted "yesterday":

"I'm relaxing now because I have already studied for the required three hours."

Compare: "I have already read that book." / "I read that book last year."
 
Last edited:

emsr2d2

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 28, 2009
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
UK
It's a very formal way of speaking to your mum. I would expect a somewhat more relaxed "I'm playing cards cos I've already done my three hours study for this week".
 

Raymott

VIP Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2008
Member Type
Academic
Native Language
English
Home Country
Australia
Current Location
Australia
My personal opinion : Since I have the word "yesterday", logically, it seems like (2)is correct.
That's my personal opinion too, without the following doubt.
 

MikeNewYork

VIP Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2002
Member Type
Academic
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
I am not happy with the "word" "cos". I don't think we should encourage its use.
 
Last edited:

emsr2d2

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 28, 2009
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
UK
I was trying to convey the casual, colloquial way people speak (whether it's to their parents or not). Unless I'm in a formal situation, I don't say "because". I'm not encouraging its written use except when reporting speech.
 

Raymott

VIP Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2008
Member Type
Academic
Native Language
English
Home Country
Australia
Current Location
Australia
I never omit the 'b' even in quick speech. I might say however, not 'cs' but 'bs'.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top