ın the past : simple past or present perfect?

[ademoglu]

Hi,

I feel confused about the usage of 'in the past.' I would like to ask if I must use it with the simple past or the present perfect tense. For example:

- This company has had another name in the past.
- This company had another name in the past.

Thank you.

 

[bhaisahab]

There is no need for the present perfect in that sentence.

 

[jawgar]

Adding "in the past" to a sentence after the verb tenses or aspects have indicated "past" is probably not required and may sound incorrect. It may be useful where we are contrasting past to present or future. Possibly it sits better at the start of the sentence e.g.

In the past we have watched TV on Saturday nights, but now we go out dancing.

 

[Matthew Wai]

In the past we have watched TV on Saturday nights

As it happened in the past, why not use the simple past instead of the present perfect?
Not a teacher.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Matthew, I would use the simple past.

 

[bhaisahab]

Matthew, I would use the simple past.

So would I, Matthew.

 

[emsr2d2]

I would probably say "This company used to have another name".