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IMG Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

Had learned vs have learned

Hello! I'm a little confused what we should use.

Let's say I don't study at college y anymore.
Which is correct to say?

This was the first thing I had learned at college.

or

This is/was the first thing I've learned at the colledge. (I guess this would be more appropriate if I still were studying at the college).

And another question on Past Perfect:

My teacher is reading my essay, and I say:

I wanted my essay to be bright, so I've written a lot of fancy words.

or

I wanted my essay to be bright, so I had written a lot of fancy words. (it feels a bit off, but anyway, is there a situation when it could be used?)

Thank you in advance!
  

Top answer

Difference between “I had learned” and “I have learned”. First impulse is ‘had’ is long ago; ‘have’ is current. ’ = ‘had’ is redundant, unnecessary.

— Wilpeter

  • Difference between “I had learned” and “I have learned”.
  • First impulse is ‘had’ is long ago; ‘have’ is current.
  • ’ = ‘had’ is redundant, unnecessary.
  • ’ = ‘learned’ makes it past tense.
  • Perfect tense is unnecessary.
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6 Answers
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Difference between “I had learned” and “I have learned”. First impulse is ‘had’ is long ago; ‘have’ is current.
Within a sentence: ‘This was the first thing I (had) learned at college.’ = ‘had’ is redundant, unnecessary.
‘This is the first thing I learned at college.’ = ‘learned’ makes it past tense. Perfect tense is unnecessary. The learning process is cumulative; although one’s knowl
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wilpetertalking of an event long ago.
The past perfect is used in narratives to show the order of events in the past, for emphasis, or when there might be confusion. It doesn't have to be long ago.

Five minutes ago, when I walked to the car to drive to my wedding, I discovered that I had lost the wedding ring. It was in the pocket of the forma
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IMGThis was the first thing I had learned at college.
No. You need this: This is/was the first thing I learned in/at college.
IMGI wanted my essay to be bright, so I had written a lot of fancy words. (it feels a bit off, but anyway, is there a situation when it could be used?)
No. It's off, as you say, and I can't
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Thank you all! I think it is clearer now.

So, I understand that there is no need in Past Perfect in this case.

And just to make sure I got it right:

If I am a student at the college, I say: This is/was the first thing I've learned.
If I am no longer a student, I say: This is/was the first thing I learned.

If I am talking to my teacher now, I sa
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IMGIf I am a student at the college, I say: This is/was the first thing I've learned.If I am no longer a student, I say: This is/was the first thing I learned.
No. If you are a student at the college OR if you are not a student at the college, you say:

This is/was the first thing I learned.

"first thing" implies a partic
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CalifJim, thank you a lot for such a detailed explanation! You're very helpful. Everything is crystal clear now.
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