A doubt about time in present perfect

Question

Hi, I have a doubt about present perfect. As I understood, what matters in this tense is the result of something, but I can't mention the time it happened. So, for example, I say: "The window has been broken.". But the window is still broken at the present, but it was broken 2 days ago. Should I use past simple to mention the time. As I know I can't  say: "The window has been broken two days ago". But, if I use past simple, it appears to be like to window was broken and is not anymore. But let's imagine that it is still. Do I have to use P.P or P.S?

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

Anonymouspresent perfect. ... I can't mention the time it happened.

That is correct.

AnonymousAs I know I can't say: "The window has been broken two days ago"

Correct.

AnonymousBut, if I use past simple, it appears to be like to window was broken and is not anymore.

The window was broken two days ago is fine. However, contrary to what you think, it says nothing whatsoever about the state of the window at the time you speak of it. Maybe it is still broken:

The window was broken two days ago, and nobody has fixed it yet.

Maybe it is not still broken:

The window was broken two days ago, but it has already been fixed.

Statements in the past simple make no claims about the state of affairs that exist at the moment you report them. They only make claims about actions, events, and states that existed in the past.

CJ

A doubt about time in present perfect

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