Present perfect and past simple in this example

Question

-Who is that woman?----------------I`ve seen her before, but I can`t remember where.---I saw her before, but I can`t remember where.Can we use past simple in this situation or not?

Vsuresh · Accepted Answer

VoytaszekCan we use past simple in this situation or not?

Since you are not sure where or when you saw her, present perfect sounds natural here.

CalifJim · Answer

Voytaszek-I`ve seen her before, but I can`t remember where.---I saw her before, but I can`t remember where.Can we use past simple in this situation or not?

Not really. Your intended meaning would be understood, but it's not natural for native speakers to use the past simple in that situation. A past simple describing an event implies that the event is associated with a certain time, which isn't possible if the speaker can't remember it. The present perfect implies only that the event was experienced at some time; whether the specific time is known or not is irrelevant.

CJ

Voytaszek · Answer

What about:

(I`m 33 y.o. now):
`I was always a polite child`.

or

`I`ve been always a poilite child`

?

Vsuresh · Answer

I am 33 years old now.

As a child I was always polite.

CalifJim · Answer

VoytaszekI`ve been always a poilite child

This one is impossible because your childhood has ended, leaving a gap between the situation described and the moment in time when you are describing it. For the same reason, you can't use the present perfect to describe the accomplishments of dead people. For example, Shakespeare has been a great writer is impossible.

CJ

Voytaszek · Answer

What about recent events? For example:

1. Auuu! I`ve just cut my finger.

Can I use past simple?

2. Auuu! I just cut my finger.
-----------------------------------------------------
And what about my former profession?

1. I was a milkman,

2. I`ve been a milkman.

(without a time reference and any context)

CalifJim · Answer

VoytaszekI`ve just cut my finger. ... I just cut my finger.

Both sound fine to me. (AmE)

VoytaszekI was a milkman. I`ve been a milkman.

X is the present moment, the time you say it.
TIME > > > .......................................

was
..... [milkman] ......................X [ a description of a past state ]

have been [two possible meanings]
1. ..... [milkman] .................. X [ a description of a life experience ]
2. ..... [ - - - - - milkman - - - - X [ a description of a state that began in the past and still continues ]

CJ

Voytaszek · Answer

So every time when we describe our (crucial) life experience, we use present perfect? Of course, I mean an alive person.

CalifJim · Answer

VoytaszekSo every time ~~when~~ we describe our (crucial) life experience, we use present perfect? Of course, I mean ~~an alive person.~~ a living person.

If you want to conceptualize it and portray it as a life experience, yes. The present perfect is used (among other reasons) to update others about what you or others have done, much as you do in a resume you might send to a prospective employer when you're looking for a new job.

I have traveled in China. / Peter has studied art. / Fran and I have seen the Eiffel Tower. / Luke has read all the poems of Milton. / ...

I have worked in a hospital. / I have published three papers on cold fusion. / I have led a team of 10 employees. / ...
_______

If you add any information about the time you did these things, you have to switch to the simple past. (I think you already know this.)

I traveled in China in 2007. / Mike saw the Eiffel Tower a month ago. / I worked in a hospital from 2001 to 2006.
_______

Of course, you don't have to portray information as life experiences. It can be part of a narrative. In that case, it's in the simple past. You are reciting the events of a day, a week, a month, or a year, for example.

I traveled in China. Then I went to France, where I saw the Eiffel Tower. Then I ...
I drove to the bank and used the ATM. With the money I withdrew, I went to the grocery store and bought some milk and eggs. Then I ...

CJ

Present perfect and past simple in this example

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions