texts
Which is the correct expression?
student asking question

Why did she say "have passed" here rather than just "passed?"

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

In this particular sentence, both could be used, but I will explain why "have passed" was used. "Have passed" is using the present perfect tense - something has started in the past and continues now. "Passed" is the past simple tense - something started and ended in the past in an unspecific time. Because Mrs. Puff is delivering the results as she speaks, the test is not technically over until she has finished speaking and giving Spongebob his results. This is why it is acceptable for her to say "You have passed" because the "passing" is happening as she speaks. She could have also said "you passed" to indicate that all the answers he gave in the past were correct. Both constructions work in this particular context. Ex: You have given me something to think about. (the event happened just before this is said) Ex: You gave me something to think about. (the event has happened in an unspecific time in the past from when this is said)

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