Chapter+5

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=Chapter 5= = =

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__5.1__ ** Simple and continuous ****__present perfect tense__ ****. **

· The simple tense consists a form of “have” + past participle (voltooid deelwoord). Ik __heb__ wat spullen voor kerst __gekocht__ : I __have__ __bought__ some Christmas stuff

In Dutch we may use the form “zijn” as well: Ik __ben__ net aangekomen : I __have__ just arrived.

· The continuous tense consists a form of “have” + “been” + “-ing” form. I __have__ __been__ work__ing__ since 2 o' clock.

The present perfect tense is used in the following cases: - To express that something started in the past and is still going on (5.2) - To express the result of something that took place in the past (5.3) - To express that something will happen in the near future (5.4)

__5.2__** Present perfect when something began in the past and is still going on. ** It began in the past and is still going on in the present. Those sentences are often accompanied by the word “al” in Dutch. Please note there's always an adverbial indicating time!

Zij zitten daar nu __al__ urenlang : They have been sitting there for hours now Ik woon hier __al__ sinds mijn geboorte : I have lived here since I was born

Adverbials denoting time are always used with the continuative present perfect tense. Here are some common examples:

De laatste tijd : Of late/recently/lately Al een paar maanden : For some months Sinds gisteren : Since yesterday

· Watch out with the use of the word “already”! English doesn't always use the word “already” to accompany the continuative present perfect time. It's not a rule to translate the word “al” into “already”.

We have been waiting for the bus for more than an hour __already__. (one hour waiting for the bus is considered to be a very long period, so that's why “already” has been used).
 * ! ** “Already” is used when the speaker wants to stress the fact that the period mentioned has been __very long__. The word will be placed at the end of the sentence. For example:

· Watch out with the use of the word “sinds”! For example: Ik ben hier sinds 1 uur = I have been here since 1 o' clock. For example: Mr.Rosser has worked here for 30 years.
 * ! ** Sinds = __since,__ when it refers to the __beginning of a period__.
 * ! ** Sinds = __for,__ when it refers to a __whole period__.

How do I know if I should use the simple or continuous present perfect tense? Don't worrie, just compare it to the present and past tenses we've dealt with before. · Simple: when the ideas of 'being in progress' and 'limited duration' are absent or irrelevant. · Continuous: when the ideas of 'being in progress' and 'limited duration' are relevant.

__5.3__ **Present perfect to express a result of action in the past** //Resultative present perfect tense// is used to express that “something” which took place in the past is connected with the present through its result. e.g.: “I have washed my car.” The result -> the car is clean.

The difference in meaning would seem to be that the perfect tense gives greater emphasis to the results of the past action. E.g. I bought / have bought a new dictionary. In British English is preferred to use the present perfect tense when there is no indication of past time. In American English the past tense is very common.
 * A) Present perfect tense or past tense** ( I have worked/ I worked)

With the adverbs //already, just, yet, ever// and //never//. British English usually has the present perfect tense. The past tense is preferred in American English. With //just now// the past tense is used in both languages. E.g. I have not finished my homework yet
 * B) Present perfect tense with ‘already’/ ’just’/ ’yet’/ ‘ever’/ ‘never’**

The continuous present perfect tense can be used to denote an activity that has only just stopped and of which the results is clearly present. E.g. who //has been drinking// my beer? (Your glass is empty)
 * C) Continuous present perfect tense (I have been working)**

In informal English //to be gone// is often used in the sense of to be temporarily absent as in: When I called at her flat, she //was gone.// --
 * D)** **Has gone/ is gone/ has set/ is set**


 * 5.4 Present perfect to express future**

The present perfect tense can be use to refer to the future //only in clauses denoting time or condition.// In other clauses //will/ shall// must be used. E.g. wait till you have been staying here a bit longer (Continuous) - I don’t know if I will have finished this work tomorrow. (Direct object clause)

Please translate the following sentences:
 * Now it's time for a small practise test to check your knowledge.**

1. Zij kent hem 11 jaar. (since/for- rule, 5.2). 2. Het sneeuwt al sinds ik ben aangekomen. (since/for - rule, 5.2). 3. Ik weet niet of hij bij de samenkomst zal zijn. 4. Ik heb deze brief nog niet af. 5. Heb je mijn boek gezien?

Answers of the practise test: 1. She has known him for eleven years. 2. It has been snowing since I arrived. 3. I don't know if he will be at the meeting tomorrow. 4. I haven't finished this letter yet. 5. Have you seen my book?