Simple Past or Present Perfect

Question

When I was in grammar school, I was taught that one used present perfect tense (over the simple past tense) for [1] an action that began in the past but continues to the present, and [2] an action that happened at an indefinite time in the past.

(1) We sang for the president yesterday. (Simple Past)
(2) We have sung for the president. (Pre Perf)
(3) We have sung for the president since 2010. (Pre Perf)

Now, my question is, should I see a ghost walk past, do I ask:

(1) Did you see that?
(2) Have you seen that?

I know "Did you see that?" sounds right-~~and it probably is~~-but my question is why? I didn't give a definite time in the past. Is the time implied?

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

saveopheliaNow, my question is, should I see a ghost walk past, do I ask:(1) Did you see that?(2) Have you seen that?

Ask 1) Did you see that?
____________

This question comes up every now and then because it doesn't seem to "follow the rules". It proves that you can't calculate your way to a choice of tense.

I'd say, as you suspected, that time is implied. "that" really means "that event", and the event itself occupies a definite time, but consider this:
Have you seen that? implies Have you ever seen that at any time in your life? and that's certainly not the intended meaning in these circumstances, so by the process of eliminating 2) we choose 1).

There may be a more complex, theoretical explanation, but I have never heard it.

CJ

Saveophelia · Answer

Phew! English is tough!

Thank you for the expertise!

- Ophelia

Simple Past or Present Perfect

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