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Whatchadoin Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Past simple/present perfect

I know that we cannot use present perfect when a time in the past is specified.
One of present perfect's uses is when we want to report something that has happened in he past and is still important. As in:

I've read a book.
I read a book.
I read a book yesterday.

In this case, I'd use the first one if I wanted to say that the importance is still here. Can the second one mean the same?

_______

I've read a book.
I read a book yesterday.

I know that I have to use simple past when I specify a time as in yesterday. But, is the one more stronger than the other?
_____________________

We don't always use present perfect when a time is not specified?

That said, what's the difference between:

I've come to apologize.
I came to apologize.

In such cases I use present perfect when I want to say that something has some relevance in the present. Should I continue using present perfect that way?
  

Top answer

Hi, whatchadoin I've read a book. I read a book. I read a book yesterday.

— Regards

  • Hi, whatchadoin I've read a book.
  • I read a book.
  • I read a book yesterday.
  • In this case, I'd use the first one if I wanted to say that the importance is still here.
  • Can the second one mean the same?
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5 Answers
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Hi,
whatchadoinI've read a book. I read a book. I read a book yesterday. In this case, I'd use the first one if I wanted to say that the importance is still here. Can the second one mean the same?
Parhaps. Parhaps not. With no further context, the first shows the relevance for the present better.

That's why we have the present perfect tense.
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Let's say I read a book yesterday. And today I say: I've read that book. or I read that book yesterday.

What would be the difference between them? Is it important to mention the time when the event happened or not? I'd
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Hi,
whatchadoinLet's say I read a book yesterday. And today I say: I've read that book. What would be the difference between them?
In the first you're using an expression of definite time in the past; in the second you aren't.
whatchadoinIs it important to mention the time when the event happened or not?
I don't know; you are
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Regardsdon't know; you are the speaker.
Thanks! This is what I was looking for! I have a couple of more questions, though.

________

I bought a new bike. (just telling what I did in the past.)
I've bought a new bike. (with this sentence I actually want to express that I have a new bike now.)

Here's where I've read this:
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Hi,
whatchadoinI read that book yesterday. I've read that book. Would the first one have the same emphasizing 'power' as the second one if I needed to specify the time when the event took place? Would the first one be somehow weaker?
The first one would be the only choice if you had to mention the specifc time, so it's not up to you, anyway.

Neverthele
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