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

The correct phrase is "when I saw you for the first time." The use of the past simple tense ("saw") is appropriate when referring to a specific point in the past. The present perfect tense ("have seen") is not needed in this context.

Last updated: March 23, 2024 • 927 views

When I saw for the first time.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to describe a specific moment in the past when someone saw something or someone for the first time.

Examples:

I still remember when I saw her for the first time.
When I saw the movie for the first time, I was amazed.
He was nervous when he saw the ocean for the first time.
She cried when she saw the baby for the first time.
When I saw the painting for the first time, I knew it was special.

Show examples from the web [+]

I was twelve and a half years, and was a fine day of spring 1940, when I saw her for the first time.
I mostly rememberthe whiteness of that light that I saw for the first time.
I'll never forget when I came out of the church and saw you for the first time.
I wanted to be here when you saw it for the first time.
The blue spot of the massive mountains of Las Villas, that our men saw for the first time.
On arrival, l saw print for the first time.
No, no, it is true. I improvised his name when you saw him for the first time.
He said that was the place he saw me for the first time.
When I saw it for the first time I felt something unexplainable.
Because when I saw Spaceballs for the first time, I could have sworn...
When I saw him for the first time, He quickly climbed Mount Tateyama.
I saw it for the first time in Jersey when I was eleven.
That is why I saw my mother for the first time when I was seven years old.
That point in my life, when I saw Blade Runner for the first time... ...I was really profoundly affected by the bleakness of it all.
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.
Since I saw you first time.
It was like I'd always been blind, but now I saw for the very first time.
I saw the dead grass for the first time.
I saw a koala for the first time.

Alternatives:

when I first saw.
the first time I saw.
the first time I laid eyes on.
the first time I set eyes on.
the first time I caught sight of.

When I have seen you for the first time.

This phrase is not correct in this context. The present perfect tense is not suitable for describing a specific moment in the past.

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.

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