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Df2006 Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
simple past or present perfect?
Someone is talking about how an accident which has resulted in her hospitalization at the moment. Which of the following sentences is correct?
1. 'I had a skiing accident. I BROKE my leg."
2. 'I had a skiing accident. I HAVE BROKEN my leg."
A language teaching site considers (1) as the correct answer.
My question is: Isn't the PRESENT PERFECT tense 'have broken' a more appropriate tense? since:
(a) the result of a past event is still affecting the present moment - she is still in the hospital.
(b) there is no exact past time reference as to 'WHEN' the accident took place.
Thank you.
1. 'I had a skiing accident. I BROKE my leg."
2. 'I had a skiing accident. I HAVE BROKEN my leg."
A language teaching site considers (1) as the correct answer.
My question is: Isn't the PRESENT PERFECT tense 'have broken' a more appropriate tense? since:
(a) the result of a past event is still affecting the present moment - she is still in the hospital.
(b) there is no exact past time reference as to 'WHEN' the accident took place.
Thank you.
Top answer
You can use either of those; however, " I've broken my leg" would be the norm in conversation. (1) focuses on the past event; (2) focuses on the present result.
- You can use either of those; however, " I've broken my leg" would be the norm in conversation.
- (1) focuses on the past event; (2) focuses on the present result.
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2 Answers
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You can use either of those; however, "I've broken my leg" would be the norm in conversation.
(1) focuses on the past event; (2) focuses on the present result.
(1) focuses on the past event; (2) focuses on the present result.
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