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Simple Past versus Present Perfect

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Latest post Thu, Oct 19 2006 10:42 PM by Clive. 1 replies.
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Tuatara  +  283226 Thu, 19 Oct 06 09:39 PM

I don't fully understand whether to use present perfect tense or imperfect (simple past tense).

What's the difference between:

An error has occured. (present perfect)

and

An error occured. (imperfect)

I cannot tell any difference in meaning. Why choose one tense over the other, please?

It's not my preferred dictionary, but Merriam-Webster's 11th Collegiate Dictionary defines imperfect as "of, relating to, or constituting a verb tense used to designate a continuing state or an incomplete action especially in the past".

The same source defines present perfect as: "of, relating to, or constituting a verb tense that...expresses action or state completed at the time of speaking".

I'm a bit unsettled with the latter definition.

Thank you
Tuatara
Joined on Thu, Oct 19 2006
New Member 02
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Clive  +  283251 Thu, 19 Oct 06 10:42 PM

Hi Tuatara,

What's the difference between:

An error has occured. (present perfect)

and

An error occured. (imperfect)

You'll find a huge number of useful explanations on this forum, if you search for 'Present perfect simple past'. It's a very common question. Have a look, and then ask again about any doubts you still have. 

Here'a couple of very brief comments to think about.

An error has occurred. I have the result/consequence of this error now, in the present. eg My software  suddenly stops working, and a few seconds later a screen message says 'An error has occurred'. 

An error occurred. This is simply telling me about the past, with no impact on the present.

eg Last month a software error occured. I quickly fixed it. My software is fine now.

Best wishes, Clive
Clive
Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004
Canada
Veteran Member 29,582
El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo
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