[Grammar] I haven't meant it/I didn't mean it

[astepforward]

Hello, I am curious if I can use these both responses in a situation when I accidentally offend someone.

1) I haven't meant it. I am truly sorry.

2) I didn't mean it. I am truly sorry.


If so, is there a difference in understanding, even slight?

 

[Rover_KE]

Re: present perfect vs past simple in a short response

Only #2 is correct.

 

[astepforward]

Re: present perfect vs past simple in a short response

How about this imaginary situation?

Mum: Go, tell your sister that you're sorry about what you said.
Kid: No, I meant it / I have meant it.

Would "I have meant it" suit here? - used as an explanation for why he doesn't want to apologize now. This is one of the present perfect usages to connect past actions with the present, am I right?

 

[Yankee]

Re: present perfect vs past simple in a short response

Not in the context you used and particularly not from a "kid".

 

[astepforward]

Re: present perfect vs past simple in a short response

May you please set a proper context where present perfect suits and goes with "mean" verb?

 

[teechar]

Re: present perfect vs past simple in a short response

[STRIKE]May[/STRIKE] Can you please [STRIKE]set a proper[/STRIKE] suggest a context where the present perfect [STRIKE]suits and[/STRIKE] goes with the verb "mean"? [STRIKE]verb?[/STRIKE]

I've been meaning to tell you about the latest management guidelines, but I haven't had the chance.

 

[emsr2d2]

Re: present perfect vs past simple in a short response

I can't think of a natural context for "I have meant it".

 

[GoesStation]

Re: present perfect vs past simple in a short response

I can't think of a natural context for "I have meant it".

I've often said I could find a natural context for nearly any grammatical sentence in English. And I have meant it.

 

[Rover_KE]

astepforward, please note that I have changed your thread title.

Extract from the Posting Guidelines:

'Thread titles should include all or part of the word/phrase being discussed.'