Grammar question no. 18 - how to mix these two tenses?

Question

Dear Users,Is it correct to mix these two tenses in one sentence?I've noticed you bough the second edition of "New Practical English Reader" I'm not sure whether we should use present perfect all along this sentence or not.Can we mix present perfect and past simple?Thanks a million

Canadian45 · Accepted Answer

Perfect StrangerDear Users,Is it correct to mix these two tenses in one sentence? You can use whatever combination of tenses you need to express your meaning.
I've noticed you bought the second edition of "New Practical English Reader".

I'm not sure whether we should use present perfect all along in this sentence or not. I would just use simple past in both places. It's a good general rule to use the simplest tense that does the job.

CalifJim · Answer

Perfect StrangerCan we mix present perfect and past simple?

You can mix these (and the present tense as well) in any way that makes sense.

1 I notice that you bought ...
2 I notice that you've bought ...
3 I noticed that you bought ...
4 I noticed that you've bought ...
5 I've noticed that you bought ...
6 I've noticed that you've bought ...

I probably would not use the pattern in #4. It almost makes it seem that the noticing could have occurred before the buying, which is impossible.

CJ

Perfect Stranger · Answer

Thanks guys,

The problem is that I hardly see any difference bewteen:

a) past simple + past simple
b) pres. perfect + pres. perfect
c) pres. perfect + past simple

Not to mention some other combinations...

Grammar question no. 18 - how to mix these two tenses?

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