help with the usage of tense aspects

[sebayanpendam]

Hi,

I have got a question regarding tense aspect. Are all the tenses used here correct, especially in the time of speaking?

1. Nobody calls me.
2. Nobody is calling me.
3. Nobody has called me.
4. Nobody called me.

Somehow, all the tenses used in these sentences appear to be fine. However, there is something about them bugging me. Are they used appropriately. Please explain.

Thanks

 

[Tdol]

They're all fine, but you need some more context (especially for #2) to make sense of the differences- the first could be used because the speaker feels lonely, etc.

 

[sebayanpendam]

Hi,

Let's say, I am expecting someone to call me, should I say,

1. 'Why there isn't anybody calling me yet?
2. 'Ally hasn't called me yet like she has promised'
3. 'I have been waiting by the phone, but nobody calls me.

 

[5jj]

Hi,

Let's say, I am expecting someone to call me, should I say,

1. 'Why there isn't anybody calling me [STRIKE]yet[/STRIKE]?
2. 'Ally hasn't called me yet like she has promised'
3. 'I have been waiting by the phone, but nobody calls me.

In the context given, if you are expecting a call from a particular person, Ally, then #1 is unlikely (and incorrect with there), though the following are possible:

Why isn’t Ally calling me yet?
Why hasn’t Ally called me yet? And even:
Why doesn’t Ally call me?

#2 is would be more likely to have a past simple, promised, than a Present Perfect, has promised, and some speakers would prefer as to like.

In this specific context, # 3 is highly unlikely.

 

[sebayanpendam]

#2 is would be more likely to have a past simple, promised, than a Present Perfect, has promised.

Hi again,

So what is the difference between the usage of the present perfect tense and the past tense used in this sentence?

 

[Raymott]

#2 is would be more likely to have a past simple, promised, than a Present Perfect, has promised.

Hi again,

So what is the difference between the usage of the present perfect tense and the past tense used in this sentence?

As you know, there are two answers.
Grammar: the difference is the same as that between any two sentences in the present perfect and the simple past - which you should study.

This example:
Why hasn’t Ally called me? leaves open the possibility that Ally will still call you.
Why didn’t Ally call me? This implies that the possibility of Ally calling has past. Most of us would not use "yet" for a sentence in the simple past.
So, you'd say, "Why didn't Ally call me yesterday?" not "Why hasn't Ally called me yesterday?"

(Some Americans would use these interchangeably, so don't be surprised if you hear it, or if one of our American members suggests that the simple past is just as good).