I have studied English tenses for a long time. I know there
was only one rule in explaining, or supporting,
the three tenses: Simple Past, Present Perfect, and Simple Present. The rule was that Present Perfect doesn't stay with specific past time. Now it is over, as we have all agreed.
Then sad to day, there is no rule any more. To prove that, now I promise this: Whatever you say to Present Perfect, can be said again
word for word to either Simple Present or Simple Past.
Or I may say, no matter how carefully you define the use of a tense, the definition can be said again
word for word to another tense. What I mean is, your definition must be so vague that it must be applied also to another tense. In other words, we can define nothing about any tense.
It seems that I am doomed to lose and I cannot keep my stupid promise. But the truth is, the promise has never been broken by anyone.
My promise is actually part of the answer to the perplexity we are now in, so play it fair. Keep out of personal matters.
For a start, one may say Simple Past can stay with specific past time.
Then I shall reply: Present Perfect can also stay with specific past time.
Any more definitions?
