Tense with 'in the past"

[Banglardon]

What tense should I use with in the past?

1- In the past, I worked in this company but now I work In another company.

2- In the past, I have worked in this company but now I work In another company.

 

[emsr2d2]

What tense should I use with "in the past"?

1- In the past, I worked [STRIKE]in[/STRIKE] at/for this company but now I work [STRIKE]in[/STRIKE] at/for another company.

2- In the past, I have worked [STRIKE]in[/STRIKE] at/for this company but now I work [STRIKE]in[/STRIKE] at/for another company.

Note my corrections above.

With time frames that start "In/Over/During", use the present perfect.

In the past, I have donated a lot of money to charity.
Over the last week, I have played tennis five times.
During the last fortnight, I have had three migraines.

Bear in mind, though, that using the past simple or the present perfect makes it abundantly clear that you are talking about the past so "In the past" is unnecessary. Your example sentence would be naturally worded as "I used to work at/for [name of company]. Now I work at/for [name of company]".

 

[emsr2d2]

I agree to an extent, but I would happily use the past simple in the first example.

Just before reading your reply, I realised that I would too! The same goes for the original sentence #1.

 

[Banglardon]

Just before reading your reply, I realised that I would too! The same goes for the original sentence #1.

I did not get it. So In my sentence can I use both present perfect and simple past with 'in the past'? :-(

 

[tzfujimino]

Yes.