Past and present perfect

Hi,

I gave you the answer. Focuses more on simply referring to an event in the past.

I have given you the answer. Focuses more on the importance of this to the present situation.

eg You should know the answer now.

Best wishes, Clive

Thank you for your answer. but I still don't understand clearly.

I want to know more concrete example sentences.

Hi,

OK.

Consider these pairs.

I cooked dinner in 2003. I That was the last time, because I hate cooking

I gave you the answer. An event occurred.

I have given you the answer. A state exists now (because of an event in the past).

The past is "opaque" -- "blocked off" from the present, as if behind a barrier. A specific time may be mentioned to make the event even more definite.

The present perfect is "transparent" to the present. There is a state of a

Hi,

As I said, please ask again if you still have questions.

Best wishes, Clive

so... how about these sentences?

I have eaten breakfast.

I ate breakfast.

Hi,

I have eaten breakfast. Sounds like you mean you are not hungry, or perhaps that you are ready to go to work.

I ate breakfast. Doesn't sound like that.

Maybe you are answering a question like 'What did you do last Thursday after you got up?'



Clive

"I have already eaten breakfast" means more crealy than "I have eaten breakfast" dose. And are both natural sentence?

Hi,

"I have already eaten breakfast" means more crealy than "I have eaten breakfast" dose.

What do you mean by 'creally'?

What do you mean by 'creally'? I made a mistake.



Your example sentences are easy to understand! ( my sentence is natural?) thanks.



I still have a questions. Please help me.



I have never written a letter in english.

I have not written a letter in english.



She "had waited" for two hours when her friend came back