Ch 9 · Lesson 7Spanish · Chapter 9 · Lesson 7 · Grammar primer
He visto hoy, vi ayer: when to use the present perfect
In Spain, a time frame that is not over takes the present perfect ( he ) and a closed one the preterite ( ). Latin America prefers the preterite.
The short version
In Spain,
.
Why?Hide
In Spain the present perfect covers any time frame that is not over yet (, , ) and experiences up to now ( he ). A closed past (, ) takes the preterite. In most of Latin America the preterite also covers today: is normal there.
When to use it
In Spain, the present perfect is for anything in a time frame that is not over yet, and for experiences up to now. A finished time frame takes the preterite:
Ayer comí paella: a closed day (preterite)
Hoy he comido paella: today is not over (present perfect)
Timeline from past to now, with now marked.
- .
- .
Ayer jugué al fútbol: yesterday I played football. Hoy he leído: I have done some reading today. Yesterday is torn off and done: the preterite. Today is still on the pad: the present perfect.
| Use | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| today | . | I' worked a lot today. |
| this week | . | I' slept little this week. |
| ever, never | México. | I' never been to Mexico. |
| already, yet | ¿ ? | Have you finished yet? |
| closed past | . | I worked a lot yesterday. |
For "have just", Spanish usually says + infinitive: . - I' just arrived.
Spain and Latin America
The rule above is the usage of Spain. In most of Latin America the preterite also covers today and recent events, and the present perfect is kept mainly for experiences and things still going on:
| Where | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| Spain | . | I' seen him today. |
| Latin America | . | I saw him today. |
| Both | ¿ Madrid? | Have you been to Madrid? |
Both are correct Spanish. The regional grammar page maps the split.
Going further: The present perfect at a glance and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.
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