When I have seen you for the first time. vs When I saw you for the first time.

'When I saw you for the first time.' is correct, while 'when I have seen you for the first time.' is incorrect. The correct phrase uses the simple past tense 'saw' to describe a specific past event, while the incorrect phrase uses the present perfect tense 'have seen,' which isn't suitable in this context.

Explained by Miss E.
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: October 21, 2024 • 13306 views

When I have seen you for the first time.

This phrase is incorrect. The present perfect tense 'have seen' is not appropriate for describing a specific past event.

Avoid using the present perfect tense 'have seen' when referring to a specific past event. Instead, use the simple past tense.

Show examples from the web [+]

We are working on that right now and I have seen the first drafts.
I have seen first-hand what it is that Uther fights against.
But I have seen first hand that if we do, they will multiply.
When I came to after San Jacinto, it was your face I'd seen first.
I have seen the first designs in Austria, but I was somewhat surprised that "Euro' is printed above the euro, but"Eurocent' is printed above the cent.
We have seen the first evidence that decisive action taken to stabilise the European economy in the face of crisis is bearing some results.
I have seen at first hand the continual bombings of the north-south railway lines over the past 30 years due to the Troubles.
I have seen at first hand how the numerous Moroccan Jews in Israel are providing the most reliable bridge between Israel and the Islamic country of Morocco.
Coming from Northern Ireland, I have seen that at first hand.
In my meetings with representatives of producer associations and individual producers I have seen at first hand how determined they are to maintain tobacco production in their regions.
I have seen at first hand in our Committee on Constitutional Affairs that the great majority of government representatives support the reinforcement of the role played by the European Union and are demanding that.
I have seen you around, this afternoon when I was with the car, and some other days.
I haven't really seen him since the first half.
I have taught and researched in the United States. I have seen workfare at first hand.
What you have seen are the first faltering steps of a necessary and logical development.
However, we have seen during the first months of the financial crisis that the demand for credit claims was growing, for instance as compared to the notorious asset-backed securities.
I have seen more patients in two weeks than I've seen in my first few years as a doctor.
Honey, I have seen more patients in two weeks than I've seen in my first few years as a doctor.
Furthermore, there is one issue that is of great concern to me, because I have seen it first-hand: the difficulties in the distribution of medicines and the corruption that exists in their distribution.
As the rapporteur for Bulgaria over the past six years, I have seen at first hand the progress that has been made in transforming the economy, the political system and the administrative structures of that country.

When I saw you for the first time.

This phrase is correct. It uses the simple past tense 'saw' to describe a specific past event.

Use the simple past tense 'saw' when referring to a specific past event that occurred in the past.

Show examples from the web [+]

I'll never forget when I came out of the church and saw you for the first time.
When I saw you for the first time, I thought Rohit has come back... maybe he never drowned.
When I saw you for the first time you had it on, Frydrych.
Mrs Maile, 15 years ago, when I saw you for the first time, you were removing the crumbs from Lady Carmel's bed with such earnestness.
I can still remember when I held you for the first time.
I was twelve and a half years, and was a fine day of spring 1940, when I saw her for the first time.
I mean... when I saw you for the first time, I felt like I wanted to run away.
When I saw you for the first time you already stole my heart
Just as you did when I was a boy, leaving you for the first time.
I mostly rememberthe whiteness of that light that I saw for the first time.
I felt personally close with you for the first time.
Then it's really like meeting you for the first time.
I wanted to be here when you saw it for the first time.
When I met you for the first time yesterday, I said Afghanistan or Iraq.
On arrival, l saw print for the first time.
It seems as if I were speaking to you for the first time.
And I'll pretend to meet you for the first time.
Standing on the roof where I kissed you for the first time.
Your father's taking you for the first time this year and I'd like you to be on time.
And to think that when I saw you for the first time I felt... a thing I hadn't felt for ten years!

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When I have seen you for the first time. vs When I saw you for the first time.

When I have seen you for the first time.

When I saw you for the first time.

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