[save/have saved] or [keep/have kept]
I have made up the sentences below.
(1a) I have saved a lot of beautiful seashells for my collection.
(2a) I have kept all the unwanted auto parts from your garage.
Most of my non-native English speaking friends think the present perfect. They suggest using the present simple, as shown below.
(1b) I save a lot of beautiful seashells for my collection.
(2b) I keep all the unwanted auto parts from your garage.
A few of my friends think either tense is correct. (1b) and (2b) would work if the actions were habitual.
Who is correct? Thank you very much.
Top answer
ansonguy (1a) I have saved a lot of beautiful seashells for my collection. (2a) I have kept all the unwanted auto parts from your garage. You now have the seashells or the parts because you found them, took them, and saved/kept them since the time you found them.
- ansonguy (1a) I have saved a lot of beautiful seashells for my collection.
- (2a) I have kept all the unwanted auto parts from your garage.
- You now have the seashells or the parts because you found them, took them, and saved/kept them since the time you found them.
- Although you may have found these things and kept them at different times, the focus here is not on the habit of collecting these things.
- The focus is on the possessions you now have because of this past activity.
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ansonguy(1a) I have saved a lot of beautiful seashells for my collection.
(2a) I have kept all the unwanted auto parts from your garage.
You now have the seashells or the parts because you found them, took them, and saved/kept them since the time you found them. Although you may have found these things and kept them at different times, the foc
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