Dear friends! Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
And I, as usual, will take the opportunity and will prank in our way, in the teacher's way.
In many Christmas and New Year musical playlists, there is a very tender and thoughtful song I Know What God Is performed by the American singer of Italian origin Perry Como . One of the best voices of the last century, alternately sharing the lead with Frank Sinatra. The unique soulful baritone and special manner of performance made Perry Como the favorite of the nation.
The song I Know What God Is was written and performed in the post-war years - and this fact especially emphasizes the meaning of the lyrics.
But, as you know, a teacher is a diagnosis. And listening to it recently, I caught myself thinking that it is an excellent illustration of the use of Present Perfect.
This temporal form is perhaps the most difficult for English learners. Why is it, than the British did not like the good old Past Simple? Moreover, the teachers scare it with have / has + V3 ...
If you do not philosophize, but simply read and translate sentences into Present Perfect, then its meaning becomes clear. But let's start with a fact that causes cognitive dissonance in students. Sentences in Present Perfect are translated into Russian by the past tense:
I have written an essay. I wrote an essay .
He has finished his work. He finished the job.
But in English, Present Perfect is part of the group of present times.
???
To understand this indecency, let's just hear what this temporal form tells us with its name:
Present. The present.
Perfect. . ( , ).
-, . Perfect.
- . Present.
?
, , , . , V3.
, .
, , , .
1 – . I write – .
2 – . I wrote – .
3?
, ( ) .
written – , done – , eaten – , learned - finished – .
, , have – 1 , .
:
I have written an essay. – ( , !) ( , !) .
He has finished his work. ( , !) ( , !) .
?
, . Present Perfect .
, …
- , ?
.
Present Perfect , «», « ?»:
I have written an essay, (/ ?) .
He has finished his work, (/ ?) .
- Present Perfect . – «».
:
I have heard the wild bird's sing. /
So I know what «freedom» is.
.
()
, «».
I have looked into the eyes of a child. /
So I know what «faith» is.
.
()
, «».
I have seen a rainbow. /
So I know what «beauty» is.
.
()
, «».
I have planted a tree. /
So I know what «hope» is.
.
()
, «».
I have held a helping hand. /
So I know what «kindness» is.
.
()
, «».
I have seen a blossom burst into bloom. /
So I know what «glory» is.
, .
()
, «».
I have lost a friend. /
So I know what «sorrow» is.
.
()
, «».
I have knelt down in prayer. /
So I know what «peace» is.
.
()
, «».
I have seen a mother at her crib. /
So I'm sure of the meaning of «love».
.
()
«».
I have seen and I have felt these things. /
And now I know what «God» is!
.
()
, «»!
. !
P.S. I have carefully read this article. ( = ). (/ ?) So now I know everything about Present Perfect. , Present Perfect.
_____________________________
, , , .
30 .
.
PS Dear readers, if you have any questions about the text or any other regarding learning English, cats, life, etc. - please write in a personal, I can skip comments!