I always / I have always

Question

Hello,"I always wondered why...""I have always wondered why..."Can you please tell me what the difference is?

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

geoyo"I always wondered why..."

You wondered for some period of time and then stopped wondering. The wondering took place entirely in that period of time which has now passed. You could start this with "When I was a child".

geoyo"I have always wondered why..."

You have been wondering for some time and are continuing to wonder now, as you say the sentence. You cannot start this with "When I was a child".
_____________

For many contexts the difference is not important. People may not necessarily care when you wondered or if you are still wondering, so in those contexts it doesn't matter a lot which one you say.

CJ

Geoyo · Answer

Thanks for your elaborate answer!

Geoyo · Answer

It's me again... just a more detailed example, let's say you are a product tester and you're writing a review. You start it with:

"I've always wondered which of these cameras is the best" or
"I always wondered which of these cameras is the best"

Then you go on writing about the test methods and the test outcome. Which of the above would you choose in this case? Would you say "I always wondered" because you're doing the test and won't wonder anymore after it?

CalifJim · Answer

geoyoWhich of the above would you choose in this case?

I always wondered ...

OR, even better I think:

I had always wondered ... (to indicate the wondering was even farther back in time — before the test results that you are going to talk about in the main body of your review).

CJ

I always / I have always

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