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New2grammar Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

have ... a time in the past

I have seen him in the past.
I have seen him last week.
I have seen him last Friday.

I have talked to him last Friday.
I have talked to him twice last week.

Are they all correct?
Thanks
  

Top answer

Present perfect is not used with a specific (definite) time in the past. ) All are wrong. Even the more indefinite in the past strikes me as wrong, or at least redundant.

  • Present perfect is not used with a specific (definite) time in the past.
  • ) All are wrong.
  • Even the more indefinite in the past strikes me as wrong, or at least redundant.
  • CJ
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7 Answers
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Present perfect is not used with a specific (definite) time in the past. (For this reason, the present perfect is sometimes called the "Indefinite Past".) All are wrong. Even the more indefinite in the past strikes me as wrong, or at least redundant.
CJ
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I wish I could remember a good example of present perfect tense used with a time in the past. I remember GG used it once and was supported by other non-native speakers like Kooyeen if I remember correctly. I'll post a good example when I come across one. Thanks, CJ.
I hope all present perfect sentences cannot be used with a time in the past as my life as a learner will definitely be easier.
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New2grammarI wish I could remember a good example of present perfect tense used with a time in the past.
Hi N2G,
I seem to remember us talking about this about a week ago. You can use the present perfect with any temporal marker that is still current, i.e. today, this morning (assuming it is before noon), this week, this month, etc., but never with the pas
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Yes, we did talk about this, I guess, a month ago. I remember you gave an example in which the time of speaking was in the same time frame as the temporal marker, specifically this morning.

I think I've heard native speakers use the present perfect with a timein the past. I really wish I could recall. Maybe next time.
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New2grammarI wish I could remember a good example of present perfect tense used with a time in the past.
You are more likely to find these in newspapers. It's almost a characteristic of journalistic style -- or sometimes perhaps a slip of the pen!
CJ
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Hi New2grammar

When time is mentioned, the simple past temse is used. For example, It rained heavily yesterday.
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Thanks, Yoong Liat. I know that concept. But I've seen the present perfect used with a time in the past. Thanks anyway.

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