1. Home
  2. English Grammar
  3. Verb: use of tenses

English Grammar


Verb: use of tenses

Fugendichter
User since 2008
Posts: 588

18 Sept. 2008

In my today's grammar revision I found the two sentences:
1. I went to Japan last year.
2. I have been to Japan in the last year. (not: I was...)
and the explanation: we must use the present perfect to describe the unspecified time. But in my opinion "last year" and "in the last year" are very similiar. What do you mean about it?

2 comments

  • User since 2006
    Posts: 2715

    18 Sept. 2008

    I don't share your opinion, Gwendo.
    "last year" is a specific moment in the passing of years.
    "in the last year" refers to an undefined moment in the last year, some time during the last year, a moment that is not precised if not that it occurred during the year.
  • User since 2008
    Posts: 588

    19 Sept. 2008

    Okay Gee, I'll get used to that idea, hopefully.

Please sign in to leave a comment.