saw/has seen/today

[Maybo]

1. I saw him today.
2. I have seen him today.

Are the above sentences both accepted?

 

[teechar]

Are the above sentences both [STRIKE]accepted?[/STRIKE] acceptable?

Both are possible, but the first is much more likely.

 

[Maybo]

Both are possible, but the first is much more likely.

When I say "I have seen him this morning", does that imply that this morning hasn't ended?
If it's correct, can I apply this rule to #2?

 

[teechar]

No. It's not about the morning being not finished. Think of other uses of the present perfect.

 

[Maybo]

3. I saw him this morning.
4. I have seen him this morning.

It seems like both sentences mean I saw him at certain point of time today.
When I use #4, does it emphasize the action has been done?

 

[Tarheel]

You can imply (hint at) something, or you can come right out and say it.

 

[Maybo]

You can imply (hint at) something, or you can come right out and say it.

I don't get it:-(.

 

[Tarheel]

When you say somebody is implying something you are saying they are not saying it directly.

 

[Maybo]

It does to me.

How about "I have seen him today"? Does it indicate anything?

For example:
A: Where is John?
B: I don't know. But I saw him today/I have seen him today.

 

[teechar]

Imagine a hospital ward. One doctor is holding a list of patients and talking to another doctor.

Doctor A: So which patients have you seen today?
Doctor B: I've seen him today. I've also seen her, and those two.

The action (see) took place in the recent past but is still relevant.

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The "unfinished-today" scenario is also possible.
Doctor A: So which patients have you seen so far today?
Doctor B: I've seen him today. I've also seen her, and those two.