Present Perfect vs Simple Past

Question

Which tense do we use in the questions without specifying the time? For example; Did you see her or Have you seen her? How can we decide it when are in an exam? Thanks

Teechr · Accepted Answer

Both are valid in English.
You need more information to decide which one to choose.

Ivanhr · Answer

Without any context, both are equally good.

CalifJim · Answer

Anonymous Which tense do we use in the questions without specifying the time? For example; Did you see her or Have you seen her? How can we decide it when are in an exam? Thanks

The choice cannot be made when the sentence stands in isolation. To decide between the two tenses you need to examine the text that surrounds the question, especially any text that precedes it. Try to get a mental grasp of the situation in which this question is being asked. Then you have to match that up with your knowledge of the different situations in which each of those tenses can be used. Even then, you may find that either tense will work. In that case, both tenses are correct in the given context.
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Some of them are difficult, and even native speakers may disagree on which is more appropriate. We sometimes choose on pure instinct, not knowing exactly why we choose as we do — unfortunately for learners.

Try this one. It's from a real TV show. I heard the words of the answer myself, and they sounded completely correct.

In a murder mystery, a man gets beaten up badly. His face is all ******. He looks a mess. He is taken to a police station, and his mother is called in. When she sees him all beaten up, she asks in an angry voice,
"______".

A. Who has done this to you?
B. Who did this to you?

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you so much.

Present Perfect vs Simple Past

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