Present perfect have you ever or did you ever

[Guest]

Is it true that Americans use did you ever and Canadians use Have you ever?

[Yankee]

Hmmm, I guess so. On the other hand, sometimes Americans use "have you ever" and the Canadians use "did you ever". :lol: :lol:

Amy
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[Tom]

Dear Amy

How would you feel if I asked of/ for one example each. :D ?

Tom

[Yankee]

Hi Tom

I understood the meaning of "Guest's" question to be: 'Do Americans use the simple past tense instead of the present perfect (and Canadians never do this)'.

This question is basically impossible to answer with a simple "yes" or "no".

I would not consider it unusual to hear the following sentence in either the US or Canada (in spoken, informal English), even though the grammar is technically wrong:
"Did you ever see a ghost?" (Correct would be "Have you ever seen a ghost?")

But, probably even more common would be to use the simple past tense instead of the present perfect in sentences containing the words "already" or "yet":
"Did you eat yet?" (= Have you eaten yet?")
"I already ate." (= "I've already eaten.")

But I am NOT saying that North Americans never say "Have you ever seen...", Have you eaten yet?", Have you already eaten?"

Amy
_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln