Ask a Question

(Create a thread)
Go Back   Spanish language learning forums > Spanish & English Languages > Grammar


Pluperfect vs present perfect

 

This is the place for questions about conjugations, verb tenses, adverbs, adjectives, word order, syntax and other grammar questions for English or Spanish.


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old April 25, 2012, 11:25 AM
szappala szappala is offline
Opal
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 6
szappala is on a distinguished road
Question Pluperfect vs present perfect

If I go somewhere and I want to say, “I’ve been here before” or “I’ve never been here before,” is it better to use he estado or había estado? In other words, if the event is taking place at the time of utterence, should the pluperfect be used rather than the present perfect?
Reply With Quote
   
Get rid of these ads by registering for a free Tomísimo account.
  #2  
Old April 25, 2012, 11:55 AM
wrholt's Avatar
wrholt wrholt is offline
Sapphire
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Posts: 1,408
Native Language: US English
wrholt is on a distinguished road
In this type of context, Spanish and English use parallel forms: use the present perfect: "he estado aquí (anteriormente)" or "nunca/jamás he estado aquí (anteriormente)".
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old April 25, 2012, 05:44 PM
aleCcowaN's Avatar
aleCcowaN aleCcowaN is online now
Diamond
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Sierra de la Ventana, Argentina
Posts: 3,229
Native Language: Castellano
aleCcowaN is on a distinguished road
Ya estuve aquí antes
Ya he estado aquí antes

Ya había estado aquí antes

Nunca estuve aquí antes
Nunca he estado aquí antes

Nunca había estado aquí antes

Regional difference. Perfect: past fact which has present consequences. Simple: past fact. It's a harsh, straight to the point way to say it.

Pluperfect: It is the usual way in its negative form. It's a gentle way to state it is as a past experience set in its moment.
__________________
Sorry, no English spell-checker
Reply With Quote
Reply

 

Link to this thread
URL: 
HTML Link: 
BB Code: 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Site Rules

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Use of the pluperfect subjunctive laepelba Grammar 38 November 11, 2010 04:00 PM
Exercise with the pluperfect subjunctive (15-4) laepelba Practice & Homework 4 October 17, 2010 10:41 AM
Present vs. Present Progressive Use in Every Day Speaking Awaken Grammar 8 July 09, 2010 12:49 PM
Present perfect practice cmon Practice & Homework 5 April 11, 2009 06:21 PM
The present perfect. Jane Grammar 6 March 11, 2008 10:06 AM


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 09:19 AM.

Forum powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

X