2) The simple past form can also be used to refer to the present time. This is a special useof the simple past form with verbs like want, wonder, hope, think to make an utterancemore polite or tactful.
Examples:a) I wanted to discuss my proposal with you, madam. b) I wondered if I could discuss my proposal with you, sir. c) I thought of discussing my proposal with you, sir. d) I hoped to discuss my proposal with you, sir. Other Uses of the Simple Past Form1) After the conditional if to indicate tentativeness (hypothetical) e.g. If I were the Prime Minister, I would provide free education at all levels. 2) After it's time, wish e.g. It's 10 o'clock---it's time you went to bed. 3) In reported speech when the reporting verb is in the past tense. e.g. I asked you what the time was. The present perfectThe present perfect (has/have + Verb in the past participle form) refers to actions inthe past which have no definite time reference. The present perfect in English is used in thefollowing three situations:
1. The present perfect tense is often used to talk about past actions and events which arecompletely finished. However, instead of the simple past, the present perfect is used ifthe action has current relevance, that is, it is related to the speaker's experience. In thiscase even though the actions took place in the past, they are still with the speaker, as partof his/her experience and knowledge. This use of the present perfect is therefore alsocalled the experiential use of the present perfect. e.g. I have seen the Taj Mahal. (Meaning: I know the Taj Mahal. It is still fresh in my memory.) (Contrast: I saw the Taj Mahal two years ago.)