Jose Carillo's English Forum

English Grammar and Usage Problems => Use and Misuse => Topic started by: Miss Mae on November 30, 2011, 02:58:58 PM

Title: What 'has' had to do with the past form of a verb?
Post by: Miss Mae on November 30, 2011, 02:58:58 PM

I thought I already understood the concept.

But yesterday, I was confounded again that it took a friend to point out a grammatical mistake I had just committed.

What 'has' had to do with the past form of make? I originally constructed the sentence below with made only.

Being a quadriparetic has made me forget things, even those that are important.

Title: Re: What 'has' had to do with the past form of a verb?
Post by: Joe Carillo on December 01, 2011, 08:24:54 PM

The following sentence of yours uses the verb “made” in the simple past tense:

“Being a quadriparetic* made me forget things, even those that are important.”

Here, the speaker’s use of the past tense indicates that his or her forgetfulness was a condition in the past that’s no longer subsisting.

On the other hand, the following sentence that uses the form “has made” is in the present perfect tense:

“Being a quadriparetic has made me forget things, even those that are important.”

When a speaker declares something in the present perfect, it means that the condition being described—forgetting things, in this case—has continued up to the point of speaking, but the condition might have ceased thereafter.

If the condition of forgetfulness has been subsisting from the past till the present without respite, meaning that it’s a permanent condition, the present tense will apply:

“Being a quadriparetic makes me forget things, even those that are important.”
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*Quadriparesis is the medical term for weakness of all four limbs, both arms and both legs, as for example from muscular dystrophy.

Title: Re: What 'has' had to do with the past form of a verb?
Post by: Miss Mae on December 03, 2011, 05:54:47 PM

Thank you. I hope there's still a chance I wouldn't have to say it in the present-tense form.

Title: Re: What 'has' had to do with the past form of a verb?
Post by: rikyjaks on January 31, 2012, 04:33:48 PM

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Title: Re: What 'has' had to do with the past form of a verb?
Post by: daviscole on February 04, 2012, 03:55:16 PM

I will definitely help me to correct my English grammar mistakes.