In American English^x, Past simple^x

Yankee wrote:I do see your point, though. I suppose we would tend to be more "willing" to use the present perfect in a sentence such as "My bike's been stolen." -- especially with "Damn!" preceding it. Still, I wouldn't find "Damn! My bike was stolen!" particularly odd in everyday AmE.Thanks...

Hi,1 - THAT has the same function as the "that" in sentences like "The girl that you told me about" or "The gift that was given to you".2 - I think you can use either, at least in American English. But I feel the past simple might sound much better, I don't know why. (The greatest boxer that has...

Hi, 1) As you say, the sentence is correct both with and without 'has'. If you use the present perfect (in UK English at least) it suggests that the picture might be new. I think American English speakers are more likely to use the past simple tense. 2) I would say this sentence is fine. 3)I...

Kooyeen wrote:Hi,Could someone comment on these? I don't understand the difference between present perfect and past simple in passive constructions. Can both of the tenses be used, even if something just happened? (for example, the bank was robbed 1 minute ago or later)Holy cannoli! What a...

Hi,Could someone comment on these? I don't understand the difference between present perfect and past simple in passive constructions. Can both of the tenses be used, even if something just happened? (for example, the bank was robbed 1 minute ago or later)Holy cannoli! What a mess... You guys all...

I've just had lunch is an example of the Present Perfect, a tense used to connect past actions to the present. It is correct in this case, because it connects the past action of eating to the present state (being full) and the consequences (not wanting to eat any more).It is not so common in many...

Yeah, Tam is right when he criticize ESLese. ESLese is often the source of most ESL students. We are not confused by English, but by ESLese's rules. And Michael Swan, hahaha, I've never liked that guy. Ok, I hate him.Anyway, I think Amy is saying that however small, there are differences in the...

Ana, if you are trying to understand the difference between the present perfect and the past simple, well, you can't? And why? Because every learner have been trying to do that since English was invented, but no one has ever succeeded! It is a trap! Ok, seriously, I can tell you the way I...

Biggie wrote:can anyone help me right now with some expressions in either british or american english with their meanings. not just words but expressions like...the british say here you are...and the americans say there you go. I'd start by saying that most Brits would say both 'here you are'...

Kooyeen wrote:My personal choices are (my style):just - always with past simple (I just saw it)yet - always with perfect tenses. (I haven't seen it yet)already - with both perfect tenses and past simple. (I've already seen it - I already checked it)ever and never - practically always with...