Present Perfect or Simple Past?

renan torres-riveroHi, pals

In the following situation, which is more appropriate?

A: Let's go to / have lunch. Either one is adequate. Not both.
B: Thanks, but I've just /already eaten lunch.- This is grammatically correct English. Since the subject is lunch, there is no need to repeat it in the Answer.

or B

OK, ok... but

Is the Simple Past correct in this situation?

- I never saw the sea before
Or: I have never seen the sea before

I think the Present Perfect tense is correct or at least more appropriate than the Simple Past. Or are both correct? Is there a different nuance whether I choose this one or that one?

Cheers

renan torres-riveroIs the Simple Past correct in this situation?

- I never saw the sea before
Or: I have never seen the sea before

Yes, the present perfect is the better choice. You are seeing it now, so it connects with the present.

I never saw the sea before that day my uncle took me and my cousins to the place by the shore wher

Thanks a lot.
And what about this one?

My little brother is playing around, and I'm in charge of him. He's supposed to do his homework before doing something else. He's making a lot of noise and Mom notices that. She says to me:

- Has your brother finished his homework yet?
or - Did your brother finish his homework yet?

Which is correct?

Thanks in advan

In that case, I would also use present pefect, especially because of the "yet."

Another situation - you are babysitting your brother and your parents are out for the evening. Your mom calls at 9 p.m. and asks how things are going. Then "Did you brother finish his homework?" makes more sense - she expect the homework is complete and is just looking for confirmation.

For me, I'd sa

Helpful hint:

When “never” is used in the context, present perfect is rarely wrong

i.e. I have never met him in my entire life!” - This says, up to the minutes of your statement, this statement hold true.



We can also use ”never” in a simple past situation "I never saw the economic collapse coming." This says: It already happened but you didn’t see any sign ,

So, is it a matter of regionalism?

3) "Did you ever [verb] before?" -- I would not use this.

Why you wouldn't? Most American would ask whether "Did you ever ... before?" or "Have you ever .. before?" without any difference in meaning. That is what I don't understand.

Why do British say: "Have you ever played football?" when Americans would say: "Did you ever pla

So, is it a matter of regionalism? - No, not with this question.

3) "Did you ever [verb] before?" -- I would not use this.- Actually, this is not proper English.
Have you ever lived in an English speaking country before? This says: from the time you were born up to the time of the conversation, have you spent any duration of time in any English speaking country. past to pr

renan torres-rivero3) "Did you ever [verb] before?" -- I would not use this.

Why you wouldn't? Most American would ask whether "Did you ever ... before?" or "Have you ever .. before?" without any difference in meaning.

Are you confident of that?

In any case, I can't help you with the "why." People use langugage in a certain way simply

Hi, pals

It's been a long time. I really thank you both. Your answers are more than enough, so clear, so clever.
However, I'm confident of what I said. I deal with American, British and other foreigners every day. And, most of them, cultivated people. And, of course, I was confused on the use of the Present Perfect and Simple Past by American speakers.
But now this is kind of r