11-15-2007, 06:26 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Caracas- Venezuela
Posts: 816
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I am not sure I understand your question correctly. However, as in the case of English grammar, in Spanish you use present perfect to indicate an action that started in the past and is still ongoing in the present. Example: “I have worked as a translator for 14 years” (implying that I am still working as a translator). But when you are referring to an action that was initiated in the past (no matter how long it lasted) which is not longer valid in the present you just use simple past tense. I worked as a translator for 14 years” (implying that I no longer work as a translator).
There is an exception to this rule in Argentine Spanish. Normally we say “ella no llegó ayer” (past tense she did not arrive yesterday) and "Ella no ha llegado aún" (present perfect: She has not arrived yet). However in Argentina you would commonly hear /ella no llegó todavía) (Which translated would be something like “she did not arrive yet”).
In your example, no matter how long the winter was, if it is over, you would say “Hizo frío este invierno (simple past). If winter is not over yet, you would say “Ha hecho mucho frío este verano (present perfect).
Hope I did not cause more confusion with my explanation.
Best regards  and Have a sunshimy day (if such a thing is possible in winter time)
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