Fagin
Junior Member
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2014
- Member Type
- Interested in Language
- Native Language
- Russian
- Home Country
- Russian Federation
- Current Location
- Russian Federation
I've been pointed into this part of A Practical English Grammar, by A.J. Thompson and A.V. Martinet:
But then there is another book, Advanced Grammar in Use, by Martin Hewings that says:
The two books clearly contradict one another. Which one should I believe?
188 it is + period + since + past or perfect tense
We can say:
It is three years since I (last) saw Bill or
It is three years since I have seen Bill.
I last saw Bill three years ago or
I haven't seen Bill for three years.
It is two months since Tom (last) smoked a cigarette or
It is two months since Tom has smoked a cigarette.
He last smoked a cigarette two months ago or
He hasn't smoked a cigarette for two months.
But then there is another book, Advanced Grammar in Use, by Martin Hewings that says:
Note, however, that we use the present perfect in the time clause if the two situations described in the main clause and time clause extend until the present:
Have you met any of your neghbours since you've lived here?
The two books clearly contradict one another. Which one should I believe?