[Grammar] Replacing present perfect simple by present simple

Status
Not open for further replies.

tom3m

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2011
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
Czech
Home Country
Czech Republic
Current Location
Czech Republic
I have a question if most of the sentences in present perfect simple can be replaced by present simple because it helps me to distinguish between present perfect simple and past simple.


e.g. I've bought a new bicycle. = I have a new bicycle. Is this method correct or not?
 

bhaisahab

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 12, 2008
Member Type
Retired English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
England
Current Location
Ireland
I have a question if most of the sentences in present perfect simple can be replaced by present simple because it helps me to distinguish between present perfect simple and past simple.


e.g. I've bought a new bicycle. = I have a new bicycle. Is this method correct or not?
I'm not sure I understand your question, tom3m. "I've bought a new bicycle. = I have a new bicycle", this is correct. Can you rephrase your question?
 

freezeframe

Key Member
Joined
Mar 28, 2011
Member Type
Academic
Native Language
English
Home Country
Canada
Current Location
Canada
I have a question if most of the sentences in present perfect simple can be replaced by present simple because it helps me to distinguish between present perfect simple and past simple.


e.g. I've bought a new bicycle. = I have a new bicycle. Is this method correct or not?

Not quite clear on your question... :-?

The have in present perfect does not denote possession. It's an auxiliary verb.
 

Verona_82

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2010
Member Type
Other
Native Language
Russian
Home Country
Russian Federation
Current Location
Ukraine
I guess Tom3m is trying to find a connection of an event with the present time or a result that a finished action has now.

I've broken my leg = my leg is in plaster and I cannot play football today
Nick's gone to the shops = he is there or on his way there
I've seen this film = I know what it is about and can comment on it

It seems to me all sentences that use the Present Perfect can be rewritten this way; however, I don't believe it's a good method to distinguish between the present perfect and the past simple. Here:

I had lunch fiften minutes ago = I'm not hungry now
 

5jj

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Oct 14, 2010
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
Czech Republic
Current Location
Czech Republic
I don't believe it's a good method to distinguish between the present perfect and the past simple. Here:

I had lunch fiften minutes ago = I'm not hungry now
You have a good point, Verona.

The method also does not help with such examples as:

I have worked in Germany.

Working in the past in Germany is part of my whole-life experience, but we cannot turn this sentence into one with a present tense of work.
 

Tdol

No Longer With Us (RIP)
Staff member
Joined
Nov 13, 2002
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
Japan
You could also say I bought a new bike (yesterday) = I have a new bike.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top