2 replies to this topic

[Jacki]

Hi,
I'm doing some english exercises but I have some problems with present perfect and past simple... Please, can you tell me what's the correct sentence in these sentences that i'll show you?

a) 1. I've bought a new car yesterday. Do you want to see it?
2. I bought a new car yesterday. Do you want to see it?
b) 1. I'm looking for Mike. Have you seen him?
2. I'm looking for Mike. Did you see him?
c) 1. When exactly has gone out? About then minutes ago.
2. When exactly did you go out? About then minutes ago.

Thanks...bye!

[ZekeDragon]

a) 2. I bought a new car yesterday. Do you want to see it?

b) Both should be acceptable in informal speech, however I believe the proper terminology is:
2. I'm looking for Mike. Did you see him?
Also, while both of these are complete sentences, it would be preferable that you connect them using a comma rather than a period to emphasize that they are connected, thus it would be "I'm looking for Mike, did you see him?"

c) Again, 2 is closer, though both of these example phrases' second sentences are incorrect. "About then minutes ago" is not proper English, a better sentence would be "About ten minutes ago." Unfortunately, that is not a complete sentence, as it does not express a complete idea, therefore it should be restated as "I left about ten minutes ago."

[Jacki]

Sorry, I wrote "then" but I know it's "ten"... Thanks for your reply! bye!