Past Simple and indefinite time reference

Question

Hi,Is the Past Simple acceptable when using an indefinite time reference or is the Present Perfect mandatory? For instance:I studied English in the past. I visited Paris some time ago.I already went to the supermarket.Thank you in advance for any help.

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

Is the Past Simple acceptable when using an indefinite time reference-- Yes, indeed.
Or is the Present Perfect mandatory?- Not at all.

Your understanding of the guideline is unclear. The guideline is: Present perfect is not usually possible when a specific past time reference exists.

These are OK:

I visited Paris.
I visited Paris last year.

I have visited Paris.

I already went to the supermarket. (Some BrE speakers do not like this, however, insisting that 'already' requires present perfect.)

This is NOT OK:

(X) I have often visited Paris last year.

Ultraviolet · Answer

As far as I know, the existence of a specific past time reference precludes the use of the Present Perfect unless the action continues up to the present.

Regarding the Past Simple, what I would like to know is whether its usage is acceptable with explicit indefinite time references such as "in the past", "some time ago", "recently", "in the last year", before", "yet".

Thank you.

Mister Micawber · Answer

As far as I know, the existence of a specific past time reference precludes the use of the Present Perfect unless the action continues up to the present.-- No, it can still occur with a recently-finished event that is still vibrantly related to the present.

Regarding the Past Simple, what I would like to know is whether its usage is acceptable with explicit indefinite time references such as "in the past", "some time ago", "recently", "in the last year", before", "yet".-- 'Explicit indefinite' seems to me to be an oxymoron, but you should be able to see from my previous post that if it is used in absolute indefinite past ('I visited Paris') and explicit past ('I visited Paris last year'), then it can also be applied to the grey area between. Why would you think that 'I visited Paris in the past' could not employ the past tense?

CalifJim · Answer

ultravioletwhat I would like to know is whether its usage is acceptable with explicit indefinite time references such as "in the past", "some time ago", "recently", "in the last year", before", "yet".

It depends on the explicit reference. They differ in the degree of acceptability.

I think you need to approach each adverbial expression as a separate issue. Some go better with the simple past; some go better with the present perfect. There is certainly no rule that says indefinite time references can never go with the simple past, if that's what you want to know.

CJ

Ultraviolet · Answer

Mister MicawberAs far as I know, the existence of a specific past time reference precludes the use of the Present Perfect unless the action continues up to the present.-- No, it can still occur with a recently-finished event that is still vibrantly related to the present.

It's somewhat arguable. You can say: "He has just called." You don't normally say: "He has called five minutes ago."

Mister MicawberRegarding the Past Simple, what I would like to know is whether its usage is acceptable with explicit indefinite time references such as "in the past", "some time ago", "recently", "in the last year", before", "yet".-- 'Explicit indefinite' seems to me to be an oxymoron, but you should be able to see from my previous post that if it is used in absolute indefinite past ('I visited Paris') and explicit past ('I visited Paris last year'), then it can also be applied to the grey area between. Why would you think that 'I visited Paris in the past' could not employ the past tense?

I can't see how "explicit indefinite time references" is an oxymoron, since "explicit", besides being a synonym of definite, means "fully and clearly expressed." Anyway. And no, I don't see why the "grey area in between" should necessarily accept the Past Simple. In fact, the expression "in the past" is generally used with the Present Perfect, as is "recently", "before" or "in the last year". What I wanted to know is if there is a rule for this usage.

Ultraviolet · Answer

CalifJim
ultravioletwhat I would like to know is whether its usage is acceptable with explicit indefinite time references such as "in the past", "some time ago", "recently", "in the last year", before", "yet".
It depends on the explicit reference. They differ in the degree of acceptability.

I think you need to approach each adverbial expression as a separate issue. Some go better with the simple past; some go better with the present perfect. There is certainly no rule that says indefinite time references can never go with the simple past, if that's what you want to know.

CJ

Thank you. This is exactly what I wanted to know.

Past Simple and indefinite time reference

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