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You are welcome to answer questions posted in the Ask a Teacher forum as long as your suggestions, help, and advice reflect a good understanding of the English language. If you are not a teacher, you will need to state that clearly at the top of your post. Please note, all posts are moderated by our in-house language experts, so make sure your suggestions, help, and advice house the kind of information an international language teacher would offer. If not, and your posts do not contribute to the topic in a positive way, they will be subject to deletion.

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Old 23-Jan-2008, 23:45
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Default keep
I would like to know the difference between "1" and "2".
1. I'm sorry I kept you waiting.
2. I'm sorry I have kept you waiting.
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Old 24-Jan-2008, 00:48
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Default Re: keep
You would use sentence 1 (the simple past) if the waiting ended some time ago.

I'm sorry I kept you waiting yesterday. I'll be more prompt today.

You would use sentence 2 (the past perfect) if the waiting is relevant to the immediate present.

I'm sorry I have kept you waiting. I'm ready now.
I'm sorry I have kept you waiting. I'll be ready in five minutes.
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