What's the difference?

Question

Have you had a shower today?Did you have a shower today?

Everlastinghope · Accepted Answer

My understanding is that :
If we want to focus on the result, " have you had a shower " is better.

For instance, let's say that after having a shower,you caught a chill; now you're ill.Someone would ask you "have you had a shower today" ,the effect still exists.
However, "Did you have a shower today" may not have any connection with the moment of speaking or/and no effect.
The 2nd question may be asked as a wondering.
The 1st question may be asked cause there's a result of something that has happened recently.
Hope to know others' points of view.

Vsuresh · Answer

Have you had a shower today? - Used when the act is relevant now. For instance, you catch cold. "Have you had shower today?"

Did you have a shower today? - Just want to know if it happened.

MrGuedes · Answer

As today's day isn't yet over, the correct option should be "Have you had a shower today?". It indicates that there's the possibility that you can still have a shower today. That's what you use the Present Perfect for.

"Did you have a shower today?" isn't really right if you want to speak formally, or simply correctly. But it could be acceptable in a more popular manner of speaking.

Generally, you should only use the Past Simple for something that happened and for which there is no turning back. For example, that would be correct if you said "Did you have a shower yesterday?" (if you didn't, there's no way to go back to yesterday and have one. It has passed; there's no turning back)

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousHave you had a shower today?

There is something in the current situation that elicits this question.

You smell funny. Have you had a shower today?

AnonymousDid you have a shower today?

The speaker is asking in a neutral way for an account of what happened. The current situation is not relevant.

CJ

Fivejedjon · Answer

MrGuedesAs today's day isn't yet over, the correct option should be "Have you had a shower today?"

Not necessarily. If the normal time for taking a shower is in the morning and the question is asked in the afternoon/evening, then the past simple is fine.

MrGuedes"Did you have a shower today?" isn't really right if you want to speak formally, or simply correctly.

It is absolutely fine in the right context.

MrGuedes · Answer

fivejedjonIf the normal time for taking a shower is in the morning and the question is asked in the afternoon/evening, then the past simple is fine.

But when the period of time considered isn't yet over, the most correct should be using the Present Perfect, right? That's what I was taught. It kind of means that there is still a possibility for you to have a shower today if you haven't had it yet.

fivejedjon["Did you have a shower today?"] is absolutely fine in the right context.

Yes, if it's just so late that you aren't considering having a shower afterwards, I guess you can ask with the Past Simple. But, except for this and a few other similar contexts, the most correct would still be the Present Simple, right?

I have to say I'm amazed that so many people are saying that it has more to do with a connexion to a current situation, than with whether the period of time considered is already over or not. Now I'm not sure of what I said before. Could you explain it better, please, fivejedjon? Thanks!

Mister Micawber · Answer

AnonymousHave you had a shower today?Did you have a shower today?

If Anon has asked for the difference here, I really see none whatsoever in intent or implication (not withstanding of course all of the excellent explications preceding my post). In my mind's ear, I could say either under identical contexts (leaning slightly toward the simple past because I am American). I pity any poor student who gets tongue-tied trying to choose between these two when confronting her lover.

Everlastinghope · Answer

Mister MicawberIf Anon has asked for the difference here, I really see none whatsoever in intent or implication

Hello Mister Micawber,
Please,what about if someone feels ill cause they/he didn't take /their /his medicines,can both questions be used? " have you taken / did you take your medicines",isn't there any slight difference ?

Mister MicawberI pity any poor student who gets tongue-tied trying to choose between these two when confronting her lover.

I ,when explaining to students the uses and differences of present perfect and past simple,get confused when having like the question above"which one should be used and WHY ? Are there any exceptions or cases where both present perfect and past simple can be interchangeable ?

Mister Micawber(leaning slightly toward the simple past because I am American)

Also,is it just a matter of British and American uses ?

My last question is:
I,when writing the first question, hesitated whether to use their or his/her after "someone" ,which one should be used ?

Many thanks

CalifJim · Answer

everlastinghopeAlso,is it just a matter of British and American uses ?

FYI:

CJ

Everlastinghope · Answer

Thanks CJ,this is what I meant <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

What's the difference?

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