Present pefect

Question

Do native speakers always use present perfect correctly?

I lost my keys. - They sometimes say sentences like this one even if they don't have the keys at the moment of the utterance. Why is that?

I broke my leg. - The same as above.

Gigilian Nguyen · Accepted Answer

Hi, I think it's up to their habits:
BRITISH: The present perfect is used for an action in the past with a result now, ex:

I've lost my keys. Have you seen them?
Anna isn't here. She has gone out.

AMERICAN: The present perfect OR past simple (more usually) can be used, ex:

I've lost my keys. Have you seen them? OR I lost my keys. Did you see them?
Anna isn't here. She has gone out OR Anna isn't here. She went out.

GN

RandomGuy · Answer

whatchadoinThey sometimes say sentences like this one even if they don't have the keys at the moment of the utterance. Why is that?

A lot of us don't take such facts into account when speaking. If you know the more appropriate usage, then use it, regardless of what some native speakers tend to do.

These threads of yours are becoming extremely repetitive, almost to the point of a daily routine. The next time you feel the urge to ask about the present perfect versus the past simple, please refer to the advice given to you in the many threads you've made over the past six weeks.

Present pefect

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