said vs has said

Question

I've been reading newspapers a lot lately. I've repeatedly observed the usage of said/ has said while reporting the comments of any individual, official, etc. But I am confused between when to use "said" and when to use "has said". Can anyone please help me out with this ?
Thanks in advance.

Ashok Vardhan 280 · Accepted Answer

I've been reading a lot of newspapers lately. I couldn't help but notice the repeated usage of said/has said while reporting the comments made by any individual, official, etc. However, I couldn't grasp the basic difference between when exactly to use "said' or "has said". Can anyone help me with this ?  Thanks in advance.

Teechr · Answer

Are you telling me that you're able to compose a paragraph like that, but that you don't know the difference between the past simple and the present perfect?
I smell a rat here!

CalifJim · Answer

Ashok Vardhan 280I've been reading a lot of newspapers lately.

In journalists' reports there is barely any difference between 'said' and 'has said'. Usually, if the writer feels that the statement is more relevant to the current situation, he uses 'has said'. If the statement is more like "old news" OR (and this is important) the writer mentions when the statement was made, he uses 'said'.

The president of Outer Pangolia has said that his country is now at war with South Raffia.
(This is a recent declaration of war. The reader is now focused on "What will happen next?")

Negotiations are now stalled between Outer Pangolia and South Raffia, three months after President Owana of Outer Pangolia said that he would go to war with South Raffia.
(The reader may have been following the progress of the war and the negotiations for some time. The news that war has been declared is not as new as it was three months ago.)

CJ

said vs has said

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