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YSchneider Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
Written english vs spoken english
Hi guys,
I've been thinking about this for quite some time. Many people from US companys often aswer me in the present perfect like:
Thank you, I've received your e-mail OR Yves, I've spoken to my boss and he...or Yves, I've forwarded your mail to our finance department and it will be processed soon!
Am I wrong or would you use simple past at least in spoken english? Like: Thank you, I got you mail(I received your mail) or Yves, I spoke to my boss and he said...
What's your opinion on this?
I've been thinking about this for quite some time. Many people from US companys often aswer me in the present perfect like:
Thank you, I've received your e-mail OR Yves, I've spoken to my boss and he...or Yves, I've forwarded your mail to our finance department and it will be processed soon!
Am I wrong or would you use simple past at least in spoken english? Like: Thank you, I got you mail(I received your mail) or Yves, I spoke to my boss and he said...
What's your opinion on this?
Top answer
or Yves, I've forwarded your mail to our finance department and it will be processed soon! Hi YSchneider It sounds like someone might have told you that Americans hardly ever use the present perfect, and that you are now noticing that that just isn't true. Am I right?
- or Yves, I've forwarded your mail to our finance department and it will be processed soon!
- Hi YSchneider It sounds like someone might have told you that Americans hardly ever use the present perfect, and that you are now noticing that that just isn't true.
- Am I right?
- Anyway, to answer your question, yes, it is also possible to use the simple past tense in the sentences you posted.
- Personally, though, I think I'd prefer the present perfect.
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25 Answers
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YSchneiderThank you, I've received your e-mail OR Yves, I've spoken to my boss and he...or Yves, I've forwarded your mail to our finance department and it will be processed soon!Hi YSchneider
It sounds like someone might have told you that Americans hardly ever use the present perfect, and that you are now noticing that that just isn't true. Am I ri
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Yes, my name is Yves. 
and Yes you're right I thought that Americans they won't use present perfect that much!
You said tha
and Yes you're right I thought that Americans they won't use present perfect that much!You said tha
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If it is the present perfect used after an action, ("I have eaten" for example), the reason it is used is because the action has caused a state that is still current (present).
A: Do you fancy going out for lunch? B: No thanks. I'm not hungry. I have already
A: Do you fancy going out for lunch? B: No thanks. I'm not hungry. I have already
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Hi Yankee, would you mind to have a look at my post? I'd like to hear your opinion on this!
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Hi Huevos
That probably wasn't the best example to give because, in the US, you're just as likely to hear "No, thanks. I already ate."
That probably wasn't the best example to give because, in the US, you're just as likely to hear "No, thanks. I already ate."
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So Yankee what would make you choose the present perfect in the mentioned sentences? What's your feeling on that?
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Yankee"No, thanks. I already ate."I´ve always been taught using "already" with simple past is a grammatical error.
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Hi Yves
I'd say there are a couple of reasons for my (personal) preference of the present perfect in the examples you gave earlier:
1. The past activities I'm mentioning in the email probably took place extremely recently, and the fact that I'm currently writing about those very recent events provides an extremely direct and clear connection to the present and me.
2.
I'd say there are a couple of reasons for my (personal) preference of the present perfect in the examples you gave earlier:
1. The past activities I'm mentioning in the email probably took place extremely recently, and the fact that I'm currently writing about those very recent events provides an extremely direct and clear connection to the present and me.
2.
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Yankee"The president has been shot!"Yankee, that's passive. The difference between the simple past and the present perfect is just a slight "Sss" sound. "somebody shot the president" versus "somebody's shot the president".
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So you're saying that usally to give some news you(an american) wouldn't use the present perfect, right?
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