Intermediate Unit 2

Laszlo from Hungary: I don't understand two sentences in this lesson. Could you explain the meaning?
1. The Korean Won doesn't go far here!
2. "What are you up to?" (Is it similar to "What's up?")

Answer: Good questions, Laszlo. They are both casual expressions.

In the sentence The Korean Won doesn't go far here!, doesn't go far here means that the value of the Won (Korean money) is low compared the the money of the other country. So things seem very expensive. It is not enough, is the overall idea.

Another example:
There are 6 people for dinner!  One chicken won't go far. (there are too many people for 1 chicken)

Laszlo from Hungary: I have a question about past simple vs. present perfect.
The rule is: "The past simple is used for an action which is complete, finished.", but in Andrew's letter (I-2(2)B 8th gap) he writes:"I have just completed my third year...." Does he use present perfect because of "just" or why?

Answer: Laszlo, you are correct. The word 'just' is the thing that makes the difference between past simple and present perfect.

In the sentence: "I have just completed my third year...." The speaker is  telling us that he completed his 3rd year of university in the recent past.  Maybe 5 days ago or 1 month ago, it is not clear (because he/she does not tell us). The listener does not need to know the exact time because, to the speaker, it is recent in his/her life.

Example:

"I have just sold my house."

Do we know when exactly? No. Was the action at a time that is still important to the speaker's life now? Yes.

Also know:

It can be very recent: "I just spilt the milk on the floor." (you can see the milk)

It can be more in the past: "I have started my new job and already I want to quit."  (maybe she started the job 2 months ago, we do not know exactly, but it is not important - she wants to find a new job now).

Another word that you always use the perfect tense with is yet.

Example:

I have not sold my house yet. (but I soon will in the near future)

I have not yet finished my 3rd year. (but I soon will in the near future)