[Grammar] Past simple VS present perfect simple

[engpoem]

hiya

1) If time of a very recent event ( the event has started and finished in the past, perhaps just a few seconds ago ) is not known, but there are no consequences in the present, do we still use present perfect or can we also use past simple?


2) “I have bought a car.”

You would use the above tense if you wanted to express that action has an effect on present in a sense that you now have a car.

a) But when would you choose to use past simple instead:

“I bought a car.”

Only when you had specific time in your mind, or if you didn’t have that car anymore?



b) Couldn’t you also use past simple even if you still have this car?


thank you

[2006]

Originally Posted by engpoem

hiya

1) If time of a very recent event ( the event has started and finished in the past, perhaps just a few seconds ago ) is not known, but there are no consequences in the present, do we still use present perfect or can we also use past simple?
It's best that you give a specific example.

2) “I have bought a car.”

You would use the above tense if you wanted to express that action has an effect on present in a sense that you now have a car.

a) But when would you choose to use past simple instead:

“I bought a car.”

Only when you had specific time in your mind, or if you didn’t have that car anymore?



b) Couldn’t you also use past simple even if you still have this car?

Yes, you can.
thank you

2006