Past simple/present perfect

Past simple/present perfect
Message de seathas posté le 07-11-2015 à 00:14:16 (S | E | F)
Hi everyone.
Thank you in advance for taking the time to read my post. your help is very meaningful for me and I appreciate it.
I would like some help to understand the following.
I think both sentence are correct, but I would like to know which one is more appropriate.
I never thought about that before. (past)
I never have thought about that before (present perfect)


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Modifié par lucile83 le 07-11-2015 08:30

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Réponse: Past simple/present perfect de mamylistele, postée le 07-11-2015 à 10:39:06 (S | E)

I never thought about that before : before is a precise moment in the past.
I have never thought about that before means before today ; before the moment present.
Hope it helps!

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Réponse: Past simple/present perfect de lemagemasque, postée le 07-11-2015 à 10:43:11 (S | E)
Hello!
Except for emphasis or American English , we don't say "I never have thought about that (before)" but "I have never thought about that". That sounds good to me.
Sentence 1 sounds like American English. However, you can also use it if you are referring to the past.
See you!

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Réponse: Past simple/present perfect de lucile83, postée le 07-11-2015 à 11:40:53 (S | E)
Hello,
I never thought about that before.
I never have thought about that before. ...I have never thought about that before...is correct.
Both sentences are ok depending on the context (again and again).
He explained the situation yesterday; I never thought about that before.
He explained the situation yesterday; I had never thought about that before.
They have talked about that problem; I have never thought about that before.

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