But I met them a time ago vs But I have met them a time ago

The correct phrase is "but I met them a time ago." The use of the past simple tense "met" is appropriate in this context to indicate a past action that is completed. The addition of "have" in the second phrase is unnecessary and incorrect.

Last updated: March 26, 2024 • 853 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"But I met them a time ago"

This phrase is used to refer to a past event that occurred at an unspecified time in the past. The past simple tense "met" is appropriate in this context.

Show examples from the web [+]

You probably don't remember this, But we met a long time ago.
I have already said this to our Algerian counterparts when I met them last week, but I would like to repeat it today.
It seems like I met Haku before, but it was a long time ago.
I met them the other night.
I met them on an undercover op.
I met them the other night.
I met them in town for the parade.
Sweet and innocent when I met them, and they had nothing.
I met them at the upstairs bar.
I never felt like I belonged anywhere till I met them.
Coincidentally I met them and the money.
I met them at the reception and then later we went back.
I met them at LaVerne's last fall.
It's no coincidence I met them at your tournament.
I met them for many times walking by the river.
I met them with their suitcases.
I met them on the way here.
No time ago or else a life, walking in the dark I met Christ. Jesus.
Mr President, some time ago I met my brother.
I saw it in your sisters' eyes the first time I met them.

This phrase is incorrect in English.

"But I have met them a time ago"

Show examples from the web [+]

You probably don't remember this, But we met a long time ago.
I have met them all this week.
The people affected live in my electoral district, and I have met them.
Cicotte, Gandil... where would I have met them?
I have already said this to our Algerian counterparts when I met them last week, but I would like to repeat it today.
But I have met the Oxenbergs.
A long time ago, but I have seen them.
I have campaigned on disability and age for many years, but I was convinced quite some time ago that we could not leave anybody behind.
- No, but I have... I have met a girl.
You could have met them at the station.
You must have met them somewhere.
I was lucky to have met them.
I have asked all the political parties - I have met them all, including the opposition parties - and their leaders to observe the maximum restraint so as to enable the national election administration to complete its work independently.
How could we not have met them?
Yeah. Mind you, whoever it was, she could have met them in the States.
We might have met once... a long time ago, perhaps.
Were they not stuffed with those that should be ours... ...we might have met them dareful, and beat them backward.
Somebody mentioned women;I have met representatives from the whole of civil society, I have met everyone.
I have met him, but I've never seen this man before in my life.
Yet around the negotiating table I only see men with beards, some longer, some shorter, but I have not seen any of those fantastic women we have met any more.

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But I met them a time ago vs But I have met them a time ago