I spilled coffee on my shirt…(not have spilled)
Dear readers, a member asked how to say “Derramei café na minha camisa,” in English. If you just now spilled coffee on your shirt, then you would say I spilled coffee on my shirt(because it is happening at one point in time, not over an extended period of time).
“HAVE SPILLED” IS CORRECT IN SENTENCES THAT DO NOT IMPLY A SPECIFIC TIME.
I have spilled coffee on my shirt many times.
I have spilled coffee on my shirt before.
I hope you like it!
Mary Ziller from USA
Gostou da dica? Então divulgue para os amigos!
Receba mais dicas de inglês como esta por E-mail, Twitter, RSS feed, Orkut ou Facebook. Bons estudos!
Autora: I'm Mary Ziller. I tutor ESL at the IHM Lteracy Center in Philadelphia. I lived a year in Brazil where I became certified to teach English as a Foreign language. Outros textos da autora.
Dear Mary,
I have a english grammar book written by Raymond Murphy and it says that we often use the present perfect to give new informatoin or to announce a recent happening. For example: Ow! I’ve cut my finger.
My question is why do I can say “I’ve cut my finger” and I can’t say “I’ve spilled coffe on my shirt”. Are they diferent situations?
Thanks a lot
Hy Itamar,
How’re you doing?
Well, I’ve seeing that you wrote ” I have a english grammar book”
In my humble opinion the write is “I have an english grammar book” do you agree with me?
Hi Valmir,
I totally agree !!!! I saw this mistake but I had already posted it.
You wrote “I’ve seeing…”. In my opinion the correct grammar is “I’ve seen…” Do you agree with me?
Hi Itamar,
The Grammar is not wrong, but it is referring to British English.
I know this post was put here long ago, but even so I’ll try to ask something about it. I find it strange that the author says we don’t say “I’ve spilled (coffee on my shirt)” because the action happened “at one point in time, not over an extended period”. I think this explanation should be reviewed, since we DO say “I’ve lost my keys” though the action DID happen “at a specific point in time and not over an expanded period”. The fact in both cases is the CONSEQUENCE OF THAT FACT AT THE PRESENT MOMENT.
Equipe do English Experts disse:
Caro leitor,
Só é possível enviar comentários em posts publicados há no máximo 1 mês. Para perguntas sobre o assunto abordado no artigo acima envie uma mensagem em nosso fórum.
Link do fórum: Fórum do English Experts
Se você nunca utilizou um fórum aprenda agora: Como utilizar o fórum.
São mais de 10.000 membros no fórum. Garantimos que nenhuma pergunta ficará sem resposta.
Mais informações
- Para críticas e sugestões envie um email para alessandro [arroba] englishexperts.com.br
- Para se tornar um colaborador clique aqui.
- Confira as Dicas Recomendadas.
Bons estudos!
Equipe do English Experts