Why is better use "Did" instead of "Have"?

Question

Why is better to say:

Did you meet anyone interesting at the party?

instead of

Have you met anyone interesting at the party?

I can't see the difference.

Thank you.

I think you mean: ''Why is it better to use did than have? '':) - FELIZ77, Aug 2, 2011

Thanks for the observation - Animalescus, Aug 2, 2011

Más bien es--Why is it better to say--pero todo el resto me parece bien. - webdunce, Aug 2, 2011

Pregunta buena :) - EL_MAG0, Aug 2, 2011

Answer 1

Did you meet anyone interesting at the party? = the party was in the past

Have you met anyone interesting at the party? = you are still at the party

Thank, it was very helpful - Animalescus, Aug 2, 2011

I agree...this is what I'd think. - --Mariana--, Aug 2, 2011

I think that have sounds better but perhpas that's only my personal preference as a native speaker - FELIZ77, Aug 2, 2011

That's the first thing that came to my mind. - Renk, Aug 2, 2011

Answer 2

The difference is practically the same as:

¿Conociste a alguien interesante en la fiesta?

¿Has conocido a alguien interesante en la fiesta?

This distinction seems to be gradually disappearing both in Spanish and English, with some countries maintaining it more than others. In Spanish, if the party was yesterday, I wouldn't use the second option (the one with "have").

Now I can see the difference, thanks. - Animalescus, Aug 2, 2011

¡Exactamente! - webdunce, Aug 2, 2011

¡Buena respuesta! - EL_MAG0, Aug 2, 2011