have seen or saw ?

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thomas615

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this was the first occasion on which I have seen her

or

this was the first occasion on which I saw her
 

jlinger

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First, I would prefer "during which" rather than "on which" but I really can't tell you why I prefer that.

But to your question of "have seen" or "saw" - the "saw" expression suggests a singular moment in time. "I saw you fall down" - not "I have seen you fall down" - unless of course, the person you saw is habitually drunk and falls down a lot.

On that one occasion, that specific moment in time, that is the first time you SAW her. You may HAVE SEEN her several times since then.
 
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