Question about sentence structures

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Hi Alan, Torsten,

What I haven’t probably told you is that I like reading Shakespeare, Keats, Byron, Jane Austen and a lot of other British writers. However, I also value ‘less appreciated’ things like the television series ‘Dynasty’ and ‘The Colbys’, even ‘Falcon Crest’. So last night when I was watching an episode of ‘Dynasty’, Blake said to his present wife, Krystle: ‘I’m going to fly to Washington and they(presumably senators and congressmen) are going to know that I had been there.’ Shouldn’t it be ‘…that I have been there.’ I mean it doesn’t make sense to me to use a Past Perfect instead of a Present Perfect. Perhaps my perception of the sentence was wrong and Blake did say:…‘that I’ve been there.’ In episode guides I often read sentences like that, but, judging of what I already know of English linguistics, it doesn’t make sense to me why some people use the Past Perfect for an event leading up to the present or future state of affairs, as it were.
Then, as far as the Present Perfect is concerned, are the following sentences correct or not:

I’ll let you know when I’ve arrived …or as soon as I’ve arrived.
I’ll tell you when I’ve finished.

Oh and Torsten, thanks for the quick reply.
Bye, bye
Marc

P.S.: ‘Crowing cocks lay no eggs’ from Elizabeth R, starring Glenda Jackson.

2

Hi Marc,

You are obviously a very sharp observer and a deep thinker. In your sentence probably both are possible — the Past Perfect as well as the Present Perfect. I think Blake wants to emphasize the fact that he was in Washington and somebody saw him there so he has an alibi. Let’s assume in a couple of months or even years from his visit to Washington another event happens in another place and Blake needs a person to verify that he was in Washington at this very moment. Then there will be a substantial period of time between his trip to Washington and the possible event in the future and it would make sense to use the Present Past to state the fact that he was in Washington.

As for your three future sentences, yes they are in the Future Perfect and they are correct.[YSaerTTEW443543]

TOEIC listening, question-response: Where can I find a drinking fountain?[YSaerTTEW443543]

3

hi torsen,

Do you want say: As for your three future sentences, yes they are in the Present Perfect and they are correct?

4

At least you should capitalise the person’s name you are addressing: Mr Torsten, before asking a question.

5

サー

Good morning bureaucracy! It is not a question, is a correction.

6

A correction with a question mark! lol
Watch your spelling, too, boy!

7

Thinks to remind me 古い .

8

Do you have a master degree in Japanese too, Master? LOL!

By the way, it should be “thanks for reminding me,” Master.

9

“Do you want to say…”
is a question, whether or not it is punctuated correctly.

10

It is a correction .that what is important here.

You do not clearly understand what I mean every time Swarm of bees.

11

That is because you rarely appear to know what you mean yourself, Nabil.