there has been

[alexandre42]

Hello
Is it correct to write
'This summer in Headingley there has been an alarming amount of graffiti - I am particularly annoyed about the paint which has been sprayed on the stone walls along Wood Lane'

:roll:

 

[Steven D]

Hello
Is it correct to write
'This summer in Headingley there has been an alarming amount of graffiti - I am particularly annoyed about the paint which has been sprayed on the stone walls along Wood Lane'

:roll:

Yes, it's correct. Is there something about this sentence that would make you think it might not be correct?


:?: :idea:

 

[alexandre42]

Hello
Is it correct to write
'This summer in Headingley there has been an alarming amount of graffiti - I am particularly annoyed about the paint which has been sprayed on the stone walls along Wood Lane'

:roll:

Yes, it's correct. Is there something about this sentence that would make you think it might not be correct?

I'm surprised by the use of have . In this case I should say . There was an alarming amount of graffiti this summer . Graffiti were happened in summer .

:roll:


:?: :idea:

 

[Steven D]

'This summer in Headingley there has been an alarming amount of graffiti - I am particularly annoyed about the paint which has been sprayed on the stone walls along Wood Lane'

I'm surprised by the use of have . In this case I should say . There was an alarming amount of graffiti this summer . Graffiti were happened in summer .


The singular form "has" is used because it goes with "amount", which is a singular noun.

Take a look at this:

There is an alarming amount of graffiti. - correct

There are an alarming amount of graffiti. - not correct

There has been an alarming amount of graffiti. - correct

There have been alarming amounts of graffiti. - correct.

Is it easier to understand with the simple present than with the present perfect?


:idea: :?:

 

[Steven D]

There are alarming amounts of graffiti.

 

[gisele]

Re: there has been + emoticons

Hello
Is it correct to write
'This summer in Headingley there has been an alarming amount of graffiti - I am particularly annoyed about the paint which has been sprayed on the stone walls along Wood Lane'

:roll:

Yes, it's correct. Is there something about this sentence that would make you think it might not be correct?

I'm surprised by the use of have . In this case I should say . There was an alarming amount of graffiti this summer . Graffiti were happened in summer .

:roll:


:?: :idea:

I think what Alexandre is surprised about is the use of the present perfect instead of the simple past. The simple past would be okay if the summer being referred to had already finished, which might not be the case - "this summer" may well imply that the time period hasn't finished yet. On the other hand, if it were "last summer", it would be necessary to say, "There was an alarming amount of graffiti in Headingley last summer - I was particularly annoyed about the paint which was sprayed on the stone walls..." The present perfect is necessary if the action or situation started in the past and hasn't finished yet.

Regarding the original sentence, I just think it might sound better to put the adverbial references at the end of the sentence -

"There has been an alarming amount of graffiti in Headingley this summer - I'm particularly annoyed about the paint..."

Alexandre, speaking of annoyance, I've noticed the recurrence of the rolling eyes emoticon in your messages. I know very little, practically nothing, about emoticons, but I think the rolling eyes one, albeit so cute, is used to transmit a feeling of anger or impatience. Have you been using this emoticon because you're upset about something, or because you think the upward turning eyes convey doubt, which was what I used to think they meant? Well, maybe the rolling eyes emoticon is also used to express doubt, I don't know. (By the way, if the rolling eyes smiley is for anger, shouldn't there be one for confusion / doubt / being puzzled?)

Gisele

 

[Steven D]

Re: there has been + emoticons

Regarding the original sentence, I just think it might sound better to put the adverbial references at the end of the sentence -

"There has been an alarming amount of graffiti in Headingley this summer - I'm particularly annoyed about the paint..."


It would be more typical to put the adverbial "this summer" at the end of the sentence. However, it really is quite normal sounding to me to have it at the beginning also. Adverbials are moved around in order to shift emphasis. In spoken English adverb placement can turn out to be quite unpredictable. It depends on how the thoughts enter the speaker's mind.

There has been, this summer, an alarming amount of graffiti in Headingley.

There has been an alarming amount of graffiti, this summer, in Headingley.

That sort of adverbial placement can and does occur in spoken English.

In written English I would expect "this summer" to be placed at the end of the sentence, or at the beginning of the sentence for emphasis.

I don't believe that there is enough attention given to spoken English at English language forums. That is, however, to be expected, seeing as we are typing and not speaking. I sometimes type the way I would speak.


That's a good point you made about the confusion being with the use of the present perfect as opposed to the simple past. I thought the confusion was with whether to choose a singular verb form or a plural verb form.

 

[Steven D]

Re: there has been + emoticons

Alexandre, speaking of annoyance, I've noticed the recurrence of the rolling eyes emoticon in your messages. I know very little, practically nothing, about emoticons, but I think the rolling eyes one, albeit so cute, is used to transmit a feeling of anger or impatience. Have you been using this emoticon because you're upset about something, or because you think the upward turning eyes convey doubt, which was what I used to think they meant? Well, maybe the rolling eyes emoticon is also used to express doubt, I don't know. (By the way, if the rolling eyes smiley is for anger, shouldn't there be one for confusion / doubt / being puzzled?)


Hi Gisele,

It's interesting that you mention this. I take the rolling eyes emoticon to mean confused or puzzled.

In another context the rolling eyes emoticon could mean "incredulous". It would depend on the context I think.

:shock: :idea:

By the way, this :shock: doesn't always mean "shock" to me. I'm not sure what it means, but I like to use it sometimes. Sometimes I think it could mean "wow" or "surprised" or both "wow and surprised". It's hard to tell, but I like it.

:shock:

 

[Steven D]

Hi Casiopea,

Would you like some popcorn? opcorn:

So do you think that the original sentence is wrong?

This summer in Headingley there has been an alarming amount of graffiti.

:?: :shock:

 

[Casiopea]

Hi Casiopea,

Would you like some popcorn? opcorn:

So do you think that the original sentence is wrong?

This summer in Headingley there has been an alarming amount of graffiti.

:?: :shock:

I had to edit my post. Sorry.

In response to your questions: Yup 'n yup. 8)

 

[Steven D]

Hi Casiopea,

Would you like some popcorn? opcorn:

So do you think that the original sentence is wrong?

This summer in Headingley there has been an alarming amount of graffiti.

:?: :shock:

I had to edit my post. Sorry.

In response to your questions: Yup 'n yup. 8)

So, yup you think the original sentence is incorrect?

mm........

Well....... I have to say the original sentence is correct.

If it is still summer of the same year when the speaker/writer says/writes this, then the present perfect is quite correct here. - up until now - during this summer - at present

This summer in Headingley there has been an alarming amount of graffiti.

Let's talk about winter. If we are in the winter time, I could make an observation such as: There hasn't been a lot of snow this winter. This winter there hasn't been a lot of snow.

:idea: :shock:

 

[blacknomi]

Re: there has been + emoticons

Alexandre, speaking of annoyance, I've noticed the recurrence of the rolling eyes emoticon in your messages. I know very little, practically nothing, about emoticons, but I think the rolling eyes one, albeit so cute, is used to transmit a feeling of anger or impatience.
Gisele[/color]

I'll use :roll: when something confuses me and I am, somehow, a bit frustrated at the same time.

Have you noticed and and :wink: ?

For me,
: as happy as a kid who gets a lollipop.
: a clever smile a kid may have when he gets a lollipop that he shoudn't get on certain occasion.
:wink: : It's not a wink for me, instead, I'd use that to express that I don't have any choice now.


Hi Alex! :hi:

Notice that, I use to express how embarrassed I am now because I'm not focusing on your original post. But then, that was a good question.

opcorn:

 

[Steven D]

Re: there has been + emoticons

opcorn:


Can I have some popcorn?


8) :shock:

 

[alexandre42]

'This summer in Headingley there has been an alarming amount of graffiti - I am particularly annoyed about the paint which has been sprayed on the stone walls along Wood Lane'

I'm surprised by the use of have . In this case I should say . There was an alarming amount of graffiti this summer . Graffiti were happened in summer .


The singular form "has" is used because it goes with "amount", which is a singular noun.

Take a look at this:

There is an alarming amount of graffiti. - correct

There are an alarming amount of graffiti. - not correct

There has been an alarming amount of graffiti. - correct

There have been alarming amounts of graffiti. - correct.

Is it easier to understand with the simple present than with the present perfect?


:idea: :?:

Yes
I was troubled with to have been , now no.
Present perfect is not easy to use for me . I understand that until now graffiti are on walls like painting
:roll:

 

[alexandre42]

Re: there has been + emoticons

Alexandre, speaking of annoyance, I've noticed the recurrence of the rolling eyes emoticon in your messages. I know very little, practically nothing, about emoticons, but I think the rolling eyes one, albeit so cute, is used to transmit a feeling of anger or impatience.
Gisele[/color]

I'll use :roll: when something confuses me and I am, somehow, a bit frustrated at the same time.

Have you noticed and and :wink: ?

For me,
: as happy as a kid who gets a lollipop.
: a clever smile a kid may have when he gets a lollipop that he shoudn't get on certain occasion.
:wink: : It's not a wink for me, instead, I'd use that to express that I don't have any choice now.


Hi Alex! :hi:

Notice that, I use to express how embarrassed I am now because I'm not focusing on your original post. But then, that was a good question.

opcorn:

Do you paint ? If yes , as much as artists you like expressing emotion .

 

[blacknomi]

You've got it!

I love painting. Here you go.


:n00b: :shock:
:rainbowa: :lol!: :black: :infinity: :wink:
:drinking: :silly: :x-mas: :vamp:

 

[Steven D]

'This summer in Headingley there has been an alarming amount of graffiti - I am particularly annoyed about the paint which has been sprayed on the stone walls along Wood Lane'

I'm surprised by the use of have . In this case I should say . There was an alarming amount of graffiti this summer . Graffiti were happened in summer .


The singular form "has" is used because it goes with "amount", which is a singular noun.

Take a look at this:

There is an alarming amount of graffiti. - correct

There are an alarming amount of graffiti. - not correct

There has been an alarming amount of graffiti. - correct

There have been alarming amounts of graffiti. - correct.

Is it easier to understand with the simple present than with the present perfect?


:idea: :?:

Yes
I was troubled with to have been , now no.
Present perfect is not easy to use for me . I understand that until now graffiti are on walls like painting
:roll:

Well, if the present perfect can be a problem at times, l'll just post this again in order to be clear. This is just one use of the present perfect, of course.

If it is still summer of the same year when the speaker/writer says/writes this, then the present perfect is quite correct here. - up until now - during this summer - at present

This summer in Headingley there has been an alarming amount of graffiti.

Let's talk about winter. If we are in the winter time, I could make an observation such as: There hasn't been a lot of snow this winter. This winter there hasn't been a lot of snow.

 

[Steven D]

'This summer in Headingley there has been an alarming amount of graffiti - I am particularly annoyed about the paint which has been sprayed on the stone walls along Wood Lane'

I'm surprised by the use of have . In this case I should say . There was an alarming amount of graffiti this summer . Graffiti were happened in summer .


The singular form "has" is used because it goes with "amount", which is a singular noun.

Take a look at this:

There is an alarming amount of graffiti. - correct

There are an alarming amount of graffiti. - not correct

There has been an alarming amount of graffiti. - correct

There have been alarming amounts of graffiti. - correct.

Is it easier to understand with the simple present than with the present perfect?


:idea: :?:

Yes
I was troubled with to have been , now no.
Present perfect is not easy to use for me . I understand that until now graffiti are on walls like painting
:roll:

Well, if the present perfect can be a problem at times, l'll just post this again in order to be clear. This is just one use of the present perfect, of course.

If it is still summer of the same year when the speaker/writer says/writes this, then the present perfect is quite correct here. - up until now - during this summer - at present

This summer in Headingley there has been an alarming amount of graffiti.

Let's talk about winter. If we are in the winter time, I could make an observation such as: There hasn't been a lot of snow this winter. This winter there hasn't been a lot of snow.

 

[alexandre42]

You've got it!

I love painting. Here you go.


:n00b: :shock:
:rainbowa: :lol!: :black: :infinity: :wink:
:drinking: :silly: :x-mas: :vamp:

Very clever . It's pretty

 

[blacknomi]

One more one more.

Love Wizard