问英语｜英语常见问题解答

说明

现在完成时/一般过去时 $^{1}$

核心问题

（1）I came to give you a message.

(2) Mrs Zhu, I called to tell you that the conference has been delayed until the 15th and 16th.

我认为以上两句中的 came 和 called 的用法是错误的,因为英语的一般过去时表示事件或状态发生在过去,而且其结束点离现在有一段时间间隔。因此,上面的句子应当用它们的现在完成时 have come, have called。

词典解答

按照英国英语,上面两句中的came和called应分别改为have come和have called。但是,在美国英语中,尤其是在非正式语体中,有一种用一般过去时代替现在完成时的倾向(参见just $^{1,2}$ )。

Did the children come home yet? (CGEL) (请对比: Have the children come home yet?) 孩子们已经回家了吗?
I'm tired — I had a long way. (请对比: I'm tired — I've had a long way.) 我累了——我走了很长的路。
You told me already. (请对比: You have already told me.) 你已经对我说过了。
Sue just finished her homework. (CGEL) (请对比: Sue's just finished her homework.) 苏刚刚做完家庭作业。