I am studying for my English grammar exam (I am studying English at university).
To prepare for this exam I am doing these old mock exams and one of the questions on these exams are:
Comment on the following sentences produced by Danes (I am Danish by the way).
So the sentence that I am having trouble with is:
I haven't slept very well last night.
My guess is that the sentence should be: I did not sleep very well last night.
But the problem is that I have no idea why it should be did and not have, and if that is even the case.
Just to make something clear: this is not my actual exam. The reason why I am asking for help is that I would like to a qualified guess to what a comment on that sentence could be like. Since I have no idea and if I got that question at the exam I would be totally lost.
Oh yeah, I am new at this place/forum so I have no idea if posted this question at the right place.
Thanks
Top answer
Narppi I have no idea why it should be did and not have Not to worry. This is easy. The present perfect cannot be used together with the mention of a specific time, for example, "last night".
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NarppiI have no idea why it should be did and not have
Not to worry. This is easy.
The present perfect cannot be used together with the mention of a specific time, for example, "last night". You need to use the simple past if you mention a specific time.
I haven't slept very well last night is therefore wrong.