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The Simple Perfect I ran into a sentence and I don't get why the simple perfect is used in it. We can't say that an action that goes first is completed; on the contrary, it refers to the future. Does anyone have ideas why the simple perfect is used in this sentence? Thank you in advance! "When you’ve picked out a frame, give them the prescription and they’ll make your lenses."

Answers · 7

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My first reaction is to say that it is correct, and natural, and there is no other way to say it. Don't forget that grammar only describes how people use a language. It doesn't prescribe how they use it. But that doesn't help you to understand, of course. I guess that it does still refer to an action being completed: You are looking at frames. When you have completed that task, then... It doesn't matter that the completion is in the future for that part of the sentence.
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There is a rule. In this type of sentence there are two clauses (parts) - the main clause (which tells you what will happen) and the time clause (which tells you WHEN it will happen, usually starting with 'when/after/before'). For the main clause we use the future tense as normal (will/going to, etc). For the time clause we use a PRESENT tense, even though the event happens in the future. A present tense means either present simple or present perfect, depending on whether the action will have finished. 'When we VISIT Paris, we'll see the Eiffel Tower' 'When we HAVE VISITED Paris, we'll go to London' (='AFTER we VISIT Paris...')
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In the English if- and when- clauses Present Simple and Present Perfect refer to the future action. Present Perfect in your sentence means that the action will be completed : Когда вы выберите оправу (закончите выбирать).... Present Perfect употребляется для выражения совершенного будущего действия вместо Future Perfect в обстоятельственных придаточных предложениях времени и условия, которые вводятся союзами after, when, as soon as, until (till), if и др. При этом Present Perfect переводится будущим временем совершенного вида: He will wait for you until you have come. Он будет тебя ждать, пока ты не придешь.
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In the English if- and when- clauses Present Simple and Present Perfect refer to the future action. Present Perfect in your sentence means that the action will be completed : Когда вы выберите оправу (закончите выбирать).... Present Perfect употребляется для выражения совершенного будущего действия вместо Future Perfect в обстоятельственных придаточных предложениях времени и условия, которые вводятся союзами after, when, as soon as, until (till), if и др. При этом Present Perfect переводится будущим временем совершенного вида: He will wait for you until you have come. Он будет тебя ждать, пока ты не придешь.

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