[Grammar] The present perfect and the past simple

[Gunner1999]

Yesterday I asked you one question connected with these tenses, but now I'd like to ask you a slightly distinct question.

- I haven't done it.
- Why haven't you done it?
- Because I haven't had time.

The second option, which sounds better in my opinion.

- I haven't done it.
- Why did you not do it?
- Because I didn't have time.

However I'm not convinced, because I can't find the explanation of this problem in any books.

 

[Raymott]

The second would be better if the first person had said, "I didn't do it". Otherwise there's no point for the second speaker to change tenses.

 

[Gunner1999]

What about this situation?
I've stolen the car, because I've needed a way of transport or I stole the car, because I needed a way of transport. Which sentence do you tend to use to explain your decisions?

 

[Raymott]

"I've stolen the car" implies that you still have it. It's a present tense. "I stole the car" does not have this implication. Also, "I've needed..." is unnatural. You either needed it when you stole it, or you still need it.

 

[Gunner1999]

I've stolen the car because I needed it. I want to empathise that I still have it. Is this sentence correct?

 

[Raymott]

Yes, it's good enough. You will understand the present perfect with more experience.

 

[Rover_KE]

[STRIKE]empathise[/STRIKE] emphasise

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