English is giving me headaches

Question

What's the difference between these sentences?

I have read that book.

I had read that book.

I read that book.

Oh ...I just want to give you a hug! : ( - lisaantonella, Dec 22, 2013

Answer 1

He leído ese libro.

Había leído ese libro.

Leo ese libro / Leí ese libro (en estos casos la pronunciación de "read" y el contexto te dan saber cuál es la conjugación usada).

Answer 2

• I have read that book. = He leído ese libro = present perfect tense
• I had read that book. = Había leído ese libro = past perfect tense
• I read that book. = Leí ese libro = preterite tense
• I read that book. = Leía ese libro = imperfect tense

So in English only three. In Spanish four. Therefore English is easier. lol.

You forgot 'read' present tense jeje. Same spelling, different pronunciation, but I'm sure you're right that the post is all about the past :) - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 10, 2013

Answer 3

Your question was about English so:

I have read that book talks of a past action that continues to the present. It may be more apparent in this example: I have read that book all afternoon, now I am putting it down.

I had read that book talks of a action that started and ended in the past. I had finished the book when he asked me to borrow it.

I read that book talks of a past action completed. I read that book last week.