[shopped there before/in the past] vs [have shopped there before/in the past]
(1a) I shopped there before.
(1b) I have shopped there before.
(2a) I shopped there in the past.
(2b) I have shopped there in the past.
I know that the 'a' versions are in the simple past and the 'b' versions are in the present perfect. I don't understand how the two past tenses change the meaning of the sentences.
Please explain the difference in meaning. Thank you very much for your help and time.
Top answer
As usual, the simple past tends to give the impression of a time gap between the action and the moment you talk about it while the present perfect gives the impression that there is no time gap. Exactly how this general principle is to be interpreted varies from case to case. In the case of your examples with shopping, I'm inclined to say that the simple past gives the impression that the speaker's days of shopping there are over.
- As usual, the simple past tends to give the impression of a time gap between the action and the moment you talk about it while the present perfect gives the impression that there is no time gap.
- Exactly how this general principle is to be interpreted varies from case to case.
- In the case of your examples with shopping, I'm inclined to say that the simple past gives the impression that the speaker's days of shopping there are over.
- Shopping there is most likely not going to happen again.
- And the present perfect gives the impression that the speaker may be shopping there again in the future, or at least is not opposed to that idea.
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As usual, the simple past tends to give the impression of a time gap between the action and the moment you talk about it while the present perfect gives the impression that there is no time gap.
Exactly how this general principle is to be interpreted varies from case to case.
In the case of your examples with shopping, I'm inclined to say that the simple past gives the impress
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