When does one use the Present Perfect?
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I have learned the Present Perfect tense and am now learning the Preterito. AT this point, I am more comfortable with the Present Perfect. When is the Present Perfect used or preferred?
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updated May 31, 2011
posted by peggs
gracias - peggs, May 31, 2011
1 Answer
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Without getting too technical about it, you can generally distinguish the preterite and present perfect exactly as you would in English.
Preterite: I moved the box. Indicates an action that was completed in the past, over and done with. Moví la caja.
Present perfect: I have moved the box. Frequently used for past actions that continue into the present, or continue to affect the present. (Often, "ya" meaning "already" is used with the present perfect.)
Are you going to move the box?
Yes, I already moved it.
Vas a mover la caja?
Si, ya la he movido.
updated May 31, 2011
posted by Jeremias
