Learn English – The logic behind present perfect/infinitive + present perfect

present-perfecttense

May I ask what the logic is behind using present perfect/infinitive + present perfect in "present perfect + since + present perfect" sentences?

it has been a while since I have enjoyed a party this much.

and

It's been a long time since I have read an interesting book.

Why is it not present perfect + past simple? I understand the "it's been" part, since it's something that is still relevant or going on. But if I'm referring to a specific past event, why should present perfect even be considered?

2) Also, I've seen people replace infinitive forms with present perfects:

"You must be surprised to receive a letter from me" = "You must be surprised to have received a letter from me"

Is there such thing as an infinitive present perfect? How is this construction possible?

Please help me understand!

Best Answer

It's been a long time since I have read an interesting book.

"Why is it not present perfect + past simple? I understand the "it's been" part, since it's something that is still relevant or going on. But if I'm referring to a specific past event, why should present perfect even be considered?"

I was reading your statement, and began thinking. And although Hellion is correct when he said:

"in both of the sample sentences, you're not referring to a specific past event, but to a somewhat generic experience; you can say "It's been a long time since I have read an interesting book", but you shouldn't say "It's been a long time since I have read The Hobbit".

He forgot a detail.

What if the last time I had read an interesting book was indeed at a specific past event, for example, last month? Hence a completed action, my reading an interesting book, at a definite time in the past.

Could a person then say:

"It's been a long time since I read (simple past) an interesting book."

I believe the answer is yes. It is grammatically correct and makes sense.

Here is another example taken verbatim from "A Practical English Grammar" (A.J.Thomson A.V.Martinet):

"I've worked here since I left school"

Which means I have finished attending school (for whatever reason but the most plausible being I have graduated or taken my final year exams) and now I am working i.e. I am not a student any more but currently an employee.

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