Файл: Употребление перфекта в английском языке (Forms).pdf

2.2.4.4 Should +have + past participle

This structure can be used to talk about past events which did not happen or which may or may not have happened or to refer to unreal situations.

“A bomb could have gone off and he wouldn`t have left her”. (p.20, 2)

Our analysis of these pieces of modern British literature reveals the actuality significance of perfect aspect in modern English language.

To sum up, we would love to notice that there are many ways to understand grammar. Obviously the best way is to understand it instinctively as a native speaker does. Natives don’t have to think about rules. They just understand without trying. Learners can only hope that repeated exposure to a second language will give them something like native understanding. Referring to the authentic literature gives the chance to feel the language like native speakers do.
Moreover, having analyzed and compared two books in different genres unexpectedly we came up to a conclusion that in a scientific popular literature Perfect is used in a very limited number of cases. On the contrary, fiction literature contains endless variety cases and structures.

Chapter 3

Having considered different cases of using Perfect aspect or as we have agreed to say tense via theoretical literature devoted to grammar in particular, and two contemporary books in different genres, we decided to refer to one more but not less important source of written language - mass media. One of the most worldwide popular sites devoted to use of English is BBC. So, we came up to a decision to study the language, used in different issues of 6-minute English podcasts and BBC news issues.

3.1 Podcasts

We tried to classify examples of using present perfect in mentioned sources into three groups.

First, Present Perfect, used to describe a situation, an action or a state that started in the past and continues until now. It usually involves an idea of a time span in its core. The span of time can be expressed either explicitly (using for, since, etc.) or implicitly (this is when we usually make the most of our mistakes). In this case we can also use the Present Perfect Continuous tense.

“Has anxiety been good for humans?

He has written a lot about how evolution has an impact on our mental condition, particularly anxiety. Recently he spoke on BBC Radio 4’s ‘Start the Week’ programme about this topic.”[9]

“Everyone's wearing them!

Despite what Neil's been told, comfortable shoes, such as trainers, are considered more acceptable these days than ever before. This is because more and more people are wearing them. But what has caused this rise in popularity? Has it happened suddenly, or over time?

Well I think it's been, sort of, coming on for a while. And I think one thing in fashion in the last 10 years has been a, sort of, mass casualization of everything. And there's been a big streetwear trend, which has filtered through” [10]

Secondly, the Present Perfect tense used to describe an action that has just completed. In this case we do not need to  point to the exact time in the past when the action took place, but rather we deliver the news. Likewise, the "just-completed" action can be expressed explicitly (using just, already, yet, this morning, this month, this year) or implicitly (this is when we need to understand the context very well). If there's a time phrase pointing to the past we use the Past Simple.

“So, is it something that's happened very recently?” [10]

Finally, Present Perfect used to describe our accomplishments or state a fact of something that we have or haven't done up to today. Such accomplishment can either be explicit (use words ever, never, three times, four times, so far, etc.) or implicit (you don't have the words pointing to the use of the tense, but you still use the Perfect Tense)

“Do smart speakers make life easier or spy on you?

Yes, they may have bugged your most intimate, or private and personal, spaces. “[11]

“Natural selection has shaped all organisms to have special states to cope with certain kinds of circumstances. 

We’ll find out that reason shortly but first he said that natural selection has shaped all organisms. This means that we are the result of natural selection. It has made us what we are. “

“Apparently not, no. She said that there has been a mass casualisation of things over the last 10 years. Casualisation here means 'the process of becoming less formal and more relaxed' – 'more casual'.

There are now a lot of fabric trainers and if you've inherited foot problems, then that kind of fabric… they're wrapping around knobbly bits, and knobbly bits hurt.

So, it's the combination of a change in fashion and a change in a material that’s made trainers and other comfy shoes more popular than ever, right?”

“Neil and Rob talk about the animal symbol of Easter in literature and in the real world

So Victoria knows a thing or two about rabbits – and said the word 'warren' used in town and village names, is evidence that they've been in the UK since the mid-17th Century. 

But despite its reputation, a recent survey suggests rabbit numbers in the UK have declined by around 60 per cent over the last 20 years. 

Well, I’m no trickster, it really has been six minutes so it's time to call it a day”.[12]

Is it time you decluttered?

Recently, people have been trying to find ways to reduce the amount of stuff that they own.

Things became more affordable. You can buy five tops for five pounds each and people have done that. And that's allowed the consumerism to kind of go crazy in the 21st century.[09]

Having picked up some quotations from different issues of these popular podcasts it is possible notice that Present perfect used to talk about the events of the past makes story more interesting and alive. Also we have noticed the tendency to use Present Perfect while introducing the news followed by past simple for giving more details.

3.2 BBC News

We have decided to study cases of using Perfect not only in podcasts but also in several issues of BBC News. The idea was to compare a range of using Perfect in media with those in pieces of literature. Here are some of the following examples.

“Oklahoma window cleaners rescued from swinging lift

Two window cleaners have been rescued from a metal basket which was swinging out of control near the top of a 50-storey building in Oklahoma” [7]

“Iran nuclear deal: European powers reject 'ultimatums'
European powers have said they remain committed to the Iran nuclear deal but that they "reject any ultimatums" from Tehran to prevent its collapse. Iran's economy is now sliding towards a deep recession, the value of its currency has dropped to record lows, and its annual inflation rate has quadrupled. "We strongly urge Iran to continue to implement its commitments under the JCPOA in full as it has done until now and to refrain from any escalatory steps," a joint statement issued on Thursday said.”