[Grammar] left or just left

[rita_b]

hi,

she has just left or she just left - which one is correct?

please help

regards,

rita

 

[bertietheblue]

hi,

she has just left or she just left - which one is correct?

please help

regards,

rita

I don't know about AMEng - there's been some disagreement going on on another thread about usage of present perfect/past simple in AmEng so I'll leave it for someone over the pond to comment.

In GBEng, assuming 'just' here means 'a moment or not very long ago', you'd write:

She's just left me!

Why? Because although the act took place in the past, the consequences are still felt in the present - so there's a past-present sense for which we would use the present perfect. You could think of it like this, where I give a possible consequence:

She's just left me [and I'm feeling completely lost now]!

Note, if you anchor this sentence in the past you would use the past simple:

She left me yesterday.

She walked out a moment ago.

Here you are simply talking about a past action and there is no indication of present consequences.

 

[rita_b]

Thanks for the prompt reply.

I usually follow British English so your advice is really going to help me.

One more thing, is it also same for "HE JUST LEFT OFFICE AND HE HAS JUST LEFT OFFICE"

Regards,

Rita

 

[Tdol]

Yes, but it's the office. However, this is more of a tendency than a rule- you'll find just + past tense often enough in BrE.

 

[rita_b]

Thanks!

 

[rita_b]

hello,

good morning!

i had boarded the wrong bus first and then got down at salt lake and boarded the right one ---- ARE THE SENTENCE AND THE USAGE OF 'HAD' CORRECT?

can you please tell me the correct usage of "HAD"? it is quite confusing for me.

thanks and regards,

rita

Yes, but it's the office. However, this is more of a tendency than a rule- you'll find just + past tense often enough in BrE.