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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Present perfect vs past with before

Which is correct?

And if both are, what's the difference?

I have seen it before.

I saw it before.
  

Top answer

I have deleted the previous answer because it was completely wrong, Anon. Both of your sentences as given are fine, formally and informally. The present perfect merely connects the event in some way with the present-- perhaps you saw it very recently, or perhaps you are talking about seeing it again now.

— Mister Micawber

  • I have deleted the previous answer because it was completely wrong, Anon.
  • Both of your sentences as given are fine, formally and informally.
  • The present perfect merely connects the event in some way with the present-- perhaps you saw it very recently, or perhaps you are talking about seeing it again now.
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2 Answers
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I have deleted the previous answer because it was completely wrong, Anon.

Both of your sentences as given are fine, formally and informally. The present perfect merely connects the event in some way with the present-- perhaps you saw it very recently, or perhaps you are talking about seeing it again now.
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Hi Anon,

I think both are correct... and I will understand them in following way:

I have seen it before.

YES, I HAVE SEEN IT BEFORE..AS WELL..

(I AM TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING WHICH I HAVE JUST SEEN)

I saw it before.

YES, I SAW IT SOME TIME BACK..NOT NECCESSARILY THAT I HAVE SEEN IT NOW.. I M JUST REPLYING TO SOME QUERY..

Thanks
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