Attached/ I have attached.

Question

Hello to everyone. Could you explain me please this "thiny" difference between past simple and present perfect.

For example:

"I attached the record" and "I have attached the record."

What should I choose? I tend to present simple.

If I recorded a voice message 5 minutes ago for example, should I choose past simple?

When I should use present perfect? I know, that we should use present perfect, for example when somemthing is not finished. E.g. I have studied English for 2 years.

But in this occur, what should I use? I tend to present simple.
Kind regards.

Thuyzero · Accepted Answer

I choose "I have attached the record". This action happens in past but we don't know exactly its time, in this sentence, time isn't mentioned.
but "I attached the record last week".

Danil · Answer

I think I have understood. We should say: "I have attached" becasue we haven't any specific time in this sentence.
Am I right?

Thuyzero · Answer

You are right.
By the way, "I understood"

Danil · Answer

I understood or I have understood?

Thuyzero · Answer

"I understood". I am sure.

Mister Micawber · Answer

Danil We should say: "I have attached" becasue we haven't any specific time in this sentence.Am I right?

That is not the reason here. It is because you did it recently. The rule is that present perfect is not used when a definite past time is mentioned, but the inverse does not apply; that is, simple past also frequently appears without any specific past time mention

Thuyzero · Answer

To be honest I don't know how to explain to u understand me. In any situations, when you understood someone's mean, you say "I understood". No one says "I have understood" even its grammar is right.

Danil · Answer

Mister Micawberpast also frequently appears without any specific past time mention

Dear Mr. Micawber, thank you, as always!

How can this be explained? I should look in a context of a sentence?

I understand that if we have a definite time, we should use past simple. E.g. I understood it 5 minutes ago.

Mister Micawber It is because you did it recently

If I did it 30 seconds ago for example, I should say: I have attached?
But if I did it 5 hours ago, I should say: I attached?
Mr. Micawber, how do you determine parametr of a "recently"? How do you determine "recenlty" or "later" (Is the word "later" an antonym of a word "recently")

For example: 30 seconds ago - this is recently. But, 2 minutes ago, this is later?

To be honest I don't know how to explain to u understand me. In any situations, when you understood someone's mean, you say "I understood". No one says "I have understood" even its grammar is right.

But, if this is grammatically (if grammar is right) why nobody say that?

Mister Micawber · Answer

Danilwhen you understood someone's mean, you say "I understood". No one says "I have understood" even its grammar is right.

Actually, we say neither. We say 'I understand.'

DanilIf I did it 30 seconds ago for example, I should say: I have attached?But if I did it 5 hours ago, I should say: I attached?Mr. Micawber, how do you determine parametr of a "recently"?

There is no simple answer. It is all relative; it is a matter of what the speaker is thinking and how s/he compares the event to now.

Danil(Is the word "later" an antonym of a word "recently"

No. 'Sooner / later'. I can think of no simple, one-word antonym for 'recently'. 'Some time ago' is appropriately vague.

Danil · Answer

Danil when you understood someone's mean, you say "I understood". No one says "I have understood" even its grammar is right.Actually, we say neither.

Mister Micawber

This is not my words

Mister Micawber: Actually, we say neither. We say 'I understand.'

Thank you, Mr. Micawber! _{I knew this.}

Thuyzero,

Mister Micawber

Thank you!

Attached/ I have attached.

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