Since I rode a bike VS since I've ridden a bike

Question

As in:It's years since I rode/have ridden a bike. I'm not sure if I could do it now.I know both versions are correct but how to explain the Present Perfect in the given example?I understand that:1. He has been a boss since we met him. &lt;--- The Past Simple because the meeting happened in the past.2. He has been a boss since we have known him.&lt;--- The Present Perfect because although we got to know him in the past we have known him until now.I cannot see how the second explanation could work for "...since I have ridden". Any ideas? I need a plausible explanation since I have to give it to some of my students.

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

Both versions are not correct. It does not work for 'have ridden', and 'have ridden' is wrong in careful composition of your first sentence, though you will no doubt hear it.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

The dictionary definitions show that the conjunction or preposition "since" needs to have a definite reference starting point in time, unless it is used with the definition "because."
Since (because) he was cooking dinner, I decided to set the table.

Your examples are using the definition "from a point in time until now."
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/since

e.g.
Since last Tuesday...
Since June...
Since Obama was elected President...
Since the troops pulled out of Iraq.....
Since we met...

So the expression after "since" needs to resolve to a single-point temporal reference. Simple past tense will do that nicely for you.

I have ridden a bike - does not define a clear reference point in time. However, in casual use, what is meant is "the last time I rode a bike"

Since I have known him:

is a special case for the verb "know." because once you know a person, you don't usually "unknow" them.
So it really means "Since I first met him"

Anonymous · Answer

wow, that's awesome. great explanation.

1) given your explanation, would this sentence be correct?
I have RODE on horses ever since I could walk.

because it has a 'from a point of time' thingy?

I dunno, it looks wrong but I'm trying to learn here.

2) I read somewhere that the sentence "I have never RIDDEN a train before" is correct. it can't be "rode" because the simple form shouldn't be used w the helping verb 'had' (that includes "have" too right? I am so confused!). if this particular statement is true, wouldn't the sentence in no1) be "ridden"?

3) does it matter if there is a ____________ "on" afterward? like "ridden horses" and "rode ON horses"

?!

pls help! Thanks!

Mister Micawber · Answer

Anonymous would this sentence be correct? I have RODE on horses ever since I could walk.

NO. 'Have RIDDEN',

AnonymousI read somewhere that the sentence "I have never RIDDEN a train before" is correct. it can't be "rode" because the simple form shouldn't be used w the helping verb 'had' (that includes "have" too right? I am so confused!). if this particular statement is true, wouldn't the sentence in no1) be "ridden"?

Right.

Anonymousdoes it matter if there is a __________ "on" afterward?

No.

Since I rode a bike VS since I've ridden a bike

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