Both forms work, depending on the context -- for example:

1. John said that Mary has done that often.
2. John said that Mary had done that already before she went home.

Present perfect suggest that the completed action is extended into a recent
or present time, that the past time is not specified, or was repeated. The
past perfect suggests the action was completed before another past action
was completed.

Paul E. Doniger

----- Original Message -----
From: shun Tang <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2001 1:32 AM
Subject: Present Perfect or Past Perfect


> After "he said", shall we use Present Perfect or Past Perfect?
>
> In reported speech led by a past-tense verb, I often see different tenses:
>
> A: John said that Mary has done that.
> B: John said that Mary had done that.
>
> What is the difference in using Present Perfect from Past Perfect? Do we
> have a rule to follow?
>
> Your opinion is welcome. Thanks in advance.
>
> Shun
> englishtense.com
>
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