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KZev Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

Past Simple and today

Hi, I saw this example in a book: "Mike was late for work again today." Can we use past simple with today? I think present perfect would be better here.
  

Top answer

Hello, KZev—and welcome to English Forums. Thank you for registering as a member. " Can we use past simple with today?

— Mister Micawber

  • Hello, KZev—and welcome to English Forums.
  • Thank you for registering as a member.
  • " Can we use past simple with today?
  • Yes, since presumably it is now later in the day: the action is finished.
  • KZev I think present perfect would be better here.
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4 Answers
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Hello, KZev—and welcome to English Forums. Thank you for registering as a member.
KZevMike was late for work again today." Can we use past simple with today?
Yes, since presumably it is now later in the day: the action is finished.
KZevI think present perfect would be better here.
That is a possibility, but then it becomes mor
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Thank you for you reply, Mister Micawber. If I used present perfect it would be: "Mike has been late for work again today", right? And here as I understood we emphasize the fact that he is doing that constanly.
And what if I used present simple? "Mike is late for work again today", how can we interpret it? Thanks.
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KZev"Mike has been late for work again today", right? And here as I understood we emphasize the fact that he is doing that constanly.
Yes.
KZevAnd what if I used present simple? "Mike is late for work again today", how can we interpret it?
As a more factual and less opinionated statement of past fact (the usual use of the pa
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KZev And what if I used present simple? "Mike is late for work again today", how can we interpret it?
This could also be said when the time Mike to arrive has passed, but he has not arrived yet. The speaker assumes he will arrive, late.
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