Present perfect expressing customary repeated actions in the present

[constantinusphilo]

But -just when I've managed to harden my heart, he'll turn around and be so sweet. I always fall for it. I don't know
why.'
Can the present perfect here express a customary repeated action in the present? I think that basically it is equivalent to 'manage'.

 

[jutfrank]

Yes, that's right—when I've managed to harden my heart expresses a repeated action. The speaker is saying that the same thing happens every time.

I think that basically it is equivalent to 'manage'.

I'm not sure what you mean.

 

[5jj]

Can the present perfect here express a customary repeated action in the present?

It's the context/co-text that tell us that we have a customary repeated action. The action has taken place in a past-time period that extends up to the moment of speaking.

 

[jutfrank]

The action has taken place in a past-time period that extends up to the moment of speaking.

Perhaps I misunderstand what you mean but I don't think that's the case.

The period leads up to the moment of him turning around and being sweet.

 

[5jj]

The period leads up to the moment of him turning around and being sweet.

You're right.

However, it's a past or universal time period, not a present one.

 

[jutfrank]

However, it's a past or universal time period, not a present one.

Yes. I prefer to call this universal time. Although each occasion of this happening has of course so far been in the past, the speaker is also thinking of it happening in the future. That's a key part of the meaning of the utterance, I think.

 

[constantinusphilo]

Thank you all for your responses. However, can you put it straightforwardly: can we replace 'when I've managed' with 'whenever I manage'?

 

[5jj]

Yes.

The sentence will not convey exactly the same meaning,