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Use of present perfect tense and simple past tense
In American English the present perfect tense (have/has + past participle)
is generally used far less than in British English.
In spoken American English it is very common to use the simple past tense as an
alternative in situations where the present perfect would usually have been used in
British English.
1. In sentences which talk about an action in the past that has an effect in the present:
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British
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British/American
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Peter is tired. He's worked too much.
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Peter is tired. He worked too much.
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I can't find my ticket. Have you seen it anywhere?
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I can't find my ticket. Did you see it anywhere?
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2. In sentences which contain the words already, just or yet:
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British
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British/American
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- Are you going to the movie tonight?
- No. I've already seen it.
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- Are you going to the movie tonight?
- No. I already saw it.
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- Is John at home?
- No, he's just left.
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- Is John at home?
- No, he just left.
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- Can I borrow your book?
- No, I haven't read it yet.
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- Can I borrow your book?
- No, I didn't read it yet.
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