Saturday, September 24, 2016

grammar - How to use phrase "think so" as perfect of recent past?


Is it correct to use present perfect tense and say "I have thought so" during a talk when referring a reply. For example in a context where I have been looking for my keys for the last a couple of minutes.


Me: I am still looking for my keys. My friend: Keys are on the table in living room. Me: I have thought so.


In this context, thinking action lasts just a couple of seconds and it is complete and over a moment ago before I say " I have thought so "; therefore it belongs to recent past. Especially in British English as seen below links, present perfect is used for the events that happen in recent past which is also called perfect of recent past.


Can I similarly use present perfect above context to relate my thought with my friend's answer? Or can I only use present perfect if thought is still in my mind at the moment I say "I have thought so" ? Can you explain please?


https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:404674/FULLTEXT01.pdf http://www.glossary.sil.org/term/perfect-recent-past




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