Past with past perfect or present perfect

Question

Hi teachers,Normally sequence: When I arrived, they had started dinner [ This is an event in the past ]When I arrive, they have started dinner [ This would be a usual occurrence; normally or maybe a present narrative usage ]Have you read the email I sent you?  Is this correct with "have you read" and "sent" here?Thanks

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

tinanam0102When I arrived, they had started dinner.

"when" is tricky. This one above means they started dinner first, then you arrived.

Compare:

When I arrived, they started dinner.

This one means they waited for you, and once you finally arrived, then they started dinner.

tinanam0102When I arrive, they have started dinner [ This would be a usual occurrence; normally or maybe a present narrative usage ]

Correct. And the same observation can be made in this case.

When I arrive, they start dinner is the other sentence of the pair. Here they wait for you, then they start dinner.

tinanam0102Have you read the email I sent you? Is this correct with "have you read" and "sent" here?

It is perfect. No problem with 'have read' and 'sent'.

'sent' happened in the past, and it's now a completed action.
'have read?' is a request for an update — a typical function of the present perfect.

CJ

Past with past perfect or present perfect

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