0

When choosing between past simple and present perfect does it matter how recently the action happened ? Or both of them can be used to talk about recent actions ?

Abc
  • 511
  • 2
  • 8
  • 16
  • 2
    Would you add an example? I'm afraid that this question may be found eligible for close-votes or down-votes by the users in its current format. – Cardinal Apr 29 '17 at 12:31
  • Actually I don't have a certain example right now, I'm just asking generally, is it possible to use past simple to talk about recent actions, Or just present perfect can be used – Abc Apr 29 '17 at 12:45
  • Can you make two sentences one for the past and the other for the perfect? This suffices for the example! BTW, In general, I can say yes you can use the past simple. However, note that "Perfect" aspect is a complicated thing. I recommend that you check this awesome post on perfects: https://ell.stackexchange.com/questions/13255/canonical-post-2-what-is-the-perfect-and-how-should-i-use-it – Cardinal Apr 29 '17 at 12:55
  • The recency is not the only determining factor. The time-phrases in the statement are far more important than any absolute recency: I saw* her just a second ago. There, have seen* would not be grammatical. ago refers to the event as something that transpired, not in terms of any bearing upon the present. – TimR Apr 29 '17 at 13:52
  • @Lucian Sava : OP is asking about present perfect. Your comments are pertinent for the past perfect. The present perfect isn't about sequence but about the past action in relation to the present. – TimR Apr 29 '17 at 14:38
  • Oops! I did it, @Tᴚoɯɐuo! – Lucian Sava Apr 29 '17 at 15:19

0 Answers0