<p>Hello. I'm a fob baffled over the easiest and the most trivial thing in the SAT writing.</p>
<p>So, I was wondering:</p>
<p>I have studied math. vs. I studied math.
Does the former one 'Necessarily' indicate that I have studied math several times in the past, rather than merely once? Because if it's not so, there's really no need to express the fact that I studied math with an extra have</p>
<p>To me, “I studied math” seems more relevant to a single occasion.
(i.e. “Yesterday, I studied math with Bob.”)
“I have studied math” would likely indicate multiple occasions, and would be appropriate when describing an action over a course of time.
(i.e. “I have studied math for the past four years.”)</p>
<p>However, the difference is so slight that I highly doubt utilizing it either way would be looked down upon. If you have to air on the side of one or the other, I would cut the “have” and just use “I studied math” for conciseness. </p>
<p>Just my opinion! :)</p>
<p>The difference is negligible. But I agree with katie292</p>
<p>“Have” means that you are still doing so. “Had” indicates that you have stopped.</p>
<p>E.G. “I have studied math for the past four years.” It means that not only have you studied math for the past four years, but you are continuing to do so in the present.</p>
<p>“I had studied math for the past four years” means you are no longer.</p>
<p>I believe that you’re talking about the present perfect vs the past simple. Here are 3 links: [The</a> Present Perfect Tense and the Simple Past Tense](<a href=“http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/410/grammar/ppvpast.htm]The”>Present Perfect and Simple Past | Continuing Studies at UVic)
[Simple</a> Past vs. Present Perfect Simple](<a href=“http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/simpas-preper]Simple”>Simple Past vs. Present Perfect Simple - English Grammar)
[Past</a> Simple or Present Perfect 1](<a href=“http://www.better-english.com/grammar/pspp1.htm]Past”>English Tenses - Learn English for Free)</p>
<p>In regards to post #4, I definitely agree with the meaning of “I have studied math for the past four years”, although I think it’s better to say “I have been studying math for the past four years”. However, the last sentence sounds wrong to me. If I want to say that in the past I studied math for four years, but am no longer doing so, I would simply say “I studied math for the past four years”. Honestly, even that doesn’t sound quite right. I can’t provide a reason as to why though. It’s called the past perfect, in case you want to look it up.</p>
<p>Okay, I’ve done more thinking. I think that the last sentence bothers me because the word “past” lets the listener/reader know that you’re already talking about the past. Therefore, the word “had” isn’t necessary…just my 2 cents</p>
<p>If so, then is</p>
<p>“I was sleeping” and “I had been sleeping” the same thing?</p>
<p>Since the actions both stopped at past…</p>
<p>^^not exactly. </p>
<p>“The Past Perfect expresses the idea that something occurred before another action in the past. It can also show that something happened before a specific time in the past.”</p>
<p>Examples:
I had never seen such a beautiful beach before I went to Kauai.
I did not have any money because I had lost my wallet.
Tony knew Istanbul so well because he had visited the city several times.
Had Susan ever studied Thai before she moved to Thailand?
She only understood the movie because she had read the book.
Kristine had never been to an opera before last night.
We were not able to get a hotel room because we had not booked in advance.
A: Had you ever visited the U.S. before your trip in 2006?
B: Yes, I had been to the U.S. once before.</p>
<p>From [ENGLISH</a> PAGE - Past Perfect](<a href=“http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/pastperfect.html]ENGLISH”>Past Perfect Tense | ENGLISH PAGE)</p>