Past Simple or Present Perfect?

[Tdol]

It's tricky because there are so many different uses in different contexts. I'm afraid it's an area of English that does take time and exposure.

[rumucu]

Originally Posted by tdol

Which is correct and why?

That mean when we have yesterday in the sentece we never put the present perfect?

[Tdol]

With 'yesterday' we normally use the past tense, but with 'since yesterday' we will tend to use the present perfect.

[rajan]

1. I have finished my work.
2. I finished my work.

What is the difference between two. I think "1st sentence" is connected with the present situation, recently.

Originally Posted by tdol

With 'yesterday' we normally use the past tense, but with 'since yesterday' we will tend to use the present perfect.

[Tdol]

Rajan, you're right- it's connected to now in some way.

[gu_bh]

It´s rather obvious the use of the simple past since you specified the time of the action.

[gu_bh]

Originally Posted by rajan

1. I have finished my work.
2. I finished my work.

What is the difference between two. I think "1st sentence" is connected with the present situation, recently.

As a matter of fact, when time is not specified, both simple past and simple past may be used.However, when you use the present perfect you give more emphasis to the sentence connecting it straight with the present. The difference is that in sentence 1 you probably JUST finished your work.In sentence 2 time is not important for the speaker

[irene8]

I think that the answer is 'saw' because is an finished action. The action happened 'yesterday'

[Tdol]

You're right, Irene.

[baltasar]

Originally Posted by tdol

Which is correct and why?

cause the action is aleady finished.