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“You've called the wrong number” or “You called the wrong number”


“Proofreading (was never/has never been) my strong point”What does “You tell him!” mean?How have you been? or How do you do?Which version is correct and normally used, “between you and me” or “between you and I”?Can we factor “tag” in “a single tag or a group of tags”Should I use “did” in the following sentence?Where have you been for the last two weeks?Topic about time and time tellingUsing “I wanted to know (I was wondering)” instead of “I want to know (I am wondering) ”Does “I've got the following macro in the code” sound OK?






.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__bot-mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;








3















A while ago I wrote this sentence:




Sorry to interrupt you, sir. But I think you called the wrong number.




Something felt wrong so I Googled: I think you've called the wrong number. To my surprise, That phrase has more hits on Google than I think you called the wrong number.



So my question is, which version is more common. And why?






phrase-usage phrase-choice past-vs-present-perfect







share|improve this question
























  • From Google, you already know which one is more common. Perhaps, you want to ask why people might prefer the present perfect as opposed to simple past tense.

    – urnonav
    3 hours ago


















3















A while ago I wrote this sentence:




Sorry to interrupt you, sir. But I think you called the wrong number.




Something felt wrong so I Googled: I think you've called the wrong number. To my surprise, That phrase has more hits on Google than I think you called the wrong number.



So my question is, which version is more common. And why?






phrase-usage phrase-choice past-vs-present-perfect







share|improve this question
























  • From Google, you already know which one is more common. Perhaps, you want to ask why people might prefer the present perfect as opposed to simple past tense.

    – urnonav
    3 hours ago














3












3








3








A while ago I wrote this sentence:




Sorry to interrupt you, sir. But I think you called the wrong number.




Something felt wrong so I Googled: I think you've called the wrong number. To my surprise, That phrase has more hits on Google than I think you called the wrong number.



So my question is, which version is more common. And why?






phrase-usage phrase-choice past-vs-present-perfect







share|improve this question
















A while ago I wrote this sentence:




Sorry to interrupt you, sir. But I think you called the wrong number.




Something felt wrong so I Googled: I think you've called the wrong number. To my surprise, That phrase has more hits on Google than I think you called the wrong number.



So my question is, which version is more common. And why?






phrase-usage phrase-choice past-vs-present-perfect




phrase-usage phrase-choice past-vs-present-perfect






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 36 mins ago









userr2684291

2,61931532




2,61931532










asked 3 hours ago









alexchencoalexchenco

2,52793367




2,52793367












  • From Google, you already know which one is more common. Perhaps, you want to ask why people might prefer the present perfect as opposed to simple past tense.

    – urnonav
    3 hours ago


















  • From Google, you already know which one is more common. Perhaps, you want to ask why people might prefer the present perfect as opposed to simple past tense.

    – urnonav
    3 hours ago

















From Google, you already know which one is more common. Perhaps, you want to ask why people might prefer the present perfect as opposed to simple past tense.

– urnonav
3 hours ago






From Google, you already know which one is more common. Perhaps, you want to ask why people might prefer the present perfect as opposed to simple past tense.

– urnonav
3 hours ago











2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes


















5














Either one is ok. We know exactly when the person called the wrong number - it was when you heard the phone ring, right before you picked up. The present perfect tense ("you've called") is fine because you know this action was in the recent past, and the present perfect is commonly used for recent past actions. The simple past tense ("you called") is also fine because again, we know this action happened in the past (the recent past, but still the past). There is only one past event here, so you don't have to worry about using different tenses to make the order of past events clear, which is often a reason to use different tenses. For instance: "You called me yesterday, at which time I told you this was the wrong number, but you've called me ten more times since then!" - in this case, the present perfect indicates an ongoing action that might still be happening now.



EDIT: I will also say that I agree with David Siegel that "Sorry, wrong number" is a more common response when someone calls you accidentally.






share|improve this answer






























    3














    Both are very common and perfectly acceptable. Since this is in fact used in informal speech, I doubt that google can tell us which is more common in practice. Strictly speaking, the calling is in the (very recent) past and is complete, so "You have called the wrong number." (shortened to "you've called") is proper. but the simple past "you called" is not wrong, and is one syllable shorter.



    In practice, I suspect that just "Wrong number!" click or perhaps "Sorry, wrong number." is more common than either. (There was a famous radio play entitled Sorry, Wrong Number by the way. Quite thrilling.)






    share|improve this answer

























    • Thanks for the answer. This is my theory: "You called the wrong number" sounds more like the operator is saying, "You called the wrong number (back then in the past)." And "You've called the wrong number" is more like they are referring to this number (in the present). Not sure if I'm right or wrong.

      – alexchenco
      3 hours ago







    • 1





      @alexchenco either might well be said by the person who answers the phone and determines that the caller made an error. There is no real difference in meaning in common usage.

      – David Siegel
      3 hours ago






    • 1





      @alexchenco I recall an exchange from a comedy routine: "Cherry Hill Baptist Church?" / 'Oi, have you got a wrong number!" (response in an obvious Jewish/Brooklyn accent.)

      – David Siegel
      3 hours ago











    • Maybe I'm wrong but I think "You have called the wrong number" is a little bit more polite than "You called the wrong number"?

      – alexchenco
      3 hours ago






    • 1





      @alexchenco Perhaps, I'm not sure. The difference, if any, is very slight. Either is far more polite than what I think is the more common response.

      – David Siegel
      3 hours ago











    Your Answer








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    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes








    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes









    5














    Either one is ok. We know exactly when the person called the wrong number - it was when you heard the phone ring, right before you picked up. The present perfect tense ("you've called") is fine because you know this action was in the recent past, and the present perfect is commonly used for recent past actions. The simple past tense ("you called") is also fine because again, we know this action happened in the past (the recent past, but still the past). There is only one past event here, so you don't have to worry about using different tenses to make the order of past events clear, which is often a reason to use different tenses. For instance: "You called me yesterday, at which time I told you this was the wrong number, but you've called me ten more times since then!" - in this case, the present perfect indicates an ongoing action that might still be happening now.



    EDIT: I will also say that I agree with David Siegel that "Sorry, wrong number" is a more common response when someone calls you accidentally.






    share|improve this answer



























      5














      Either one is ok. We know exactly when the person called the wrong number - it was when you heard the phone ring, right before you picked up. The present perfect tense ("you've called") is fine because you know this action was in the recent past, and the present perfect is commonly used for recent past actions. The simple past tense ("you called") is also fine because again, we know this action happened in the past (the recent past, but still the past). There is only one past event here, so you don't have to worry about using different tenses to make the order of past events clear, which is often a reason to use different tenses. For instance: "You called me yesterday, at which time I told you this was the wrong number, but you've called me ten more times since then!" - in this case, the present perfect indicates an ongoing action that might still be happening now.



      EDIT: I will also say that I agree with David Siegel that "Sorry, wrong number" is a more common response when someone calls you accidentally.






      share|improve this answer

























        5












        5








        5







        Either one is ok. We know exactly when the person called the wrong number - it was when you heard the phone ring, right before you picked up. The present perfect tense ("you've called") is fine because you know this action was in the recent past, and the present perfect is commonly used for recent past actions. The simple past tense ("you called") is also fine because again, we know this action happened in the past (the recent past, but still the past). There is only one past event here, so you don't have to worry about using different tenses to make the order of past events clear, which is often a reason to use different tenses. For instance: "You called me yesterday, at which time I told you this was the wrong number, but you've called me ten more times since then!" - in this case, the present perfect indicates an ongoing action that might still be happening now.



        EDIT: I will also say that I agree with David Siegel that "Sorry, wrong number" is a more common response when someone calls you accidentally.






        share|improve this answer













        Either one is ok. We know exactly when the person called the wrong number - it was when you heard the phone ring, right before you picked up. The present perfect tense ("you've called") is fine because you know this action was in the recent past, and the present perfect is commonly used for recent past actions. The simple past tense ("you called") is also fine because again, we know this action happened in the past (the recent past, but still the past). There is only one past event here, so you don't have to worry about using different tenses to make the order of past events clear, which is often a reason to use different tenses. For instance: "You called me yesterday, at which time I told you this was the wrong number, but you've called me ten more times since then!" - in this case, the present perfect indicates an ongoing action that might still be happening now.



        EDIT: I will also say that I agree with David Siegel that "Sorry, wrong number" is a more common response when someone calls you accidentally.







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered 3 hours ago









        MixolydianMixolydian

        5,837715




        5,837715























            3














            Both are very common and perfectly acceptable. Since this is in fact used in informal speech, I doubt that google can tell us which is more common in practice. Strictly speaking, the calling is in the (very recent) past and is complete, so "You have called the wrong number." (shortened to "you've called") is proper. but the simple past "you called" is not wrong, and is one syllable shorter.



            In practice, I suspect that just "Wrong number!" click or perhaps "Sorry, wrong number." is more common than either. (There was a famous radio play entitled Sorry, Wrong Number by the way. Quite thrilling.)






            share|improve this answer

























            • Thanks for the answer. This is my theory: "You called the wrong number" sounds more like the operator is saying, "You called the wrong number (back then in the past)." And "You've called the wrong number" is more like they are referring to this number (in the present). Not sure if I'm right or wrong.

              – alexchenco
              3 hours ago







            • 1





              @alexchenco either might well be said by the person who answers the phone and determines that the caller made an error. There is no real difference in meaning in common usage.

              – David Siegel
              3 hours ago






            • 1





              @alexchenco I recall an exchange from a comedy routine: "Cherry Hill Baptist Church?" / 'Oi, have you got a wrong number!" (response in an obvious Jewish/Brooklyn accent.)

              – David Siegel
              3 hours ago











            • Maybe I'm wrong but I think "You have called the wrong number" is a little bit more polite than "You called the wrong number"?

              – alexchenco
              3 hours ago






            • 1





              @alexchenco Perhaps, I'm not sure. The difference, if any, is very slight. Either is far more polite than what I think is the more common response.

              – David Siegel
              3 hours ago















            3














            Both are very common and perfectly acceptable. Since this is in fact used in informal speech, I doubt that google can tell us which is more common in practice. Strictly speaking, the calling is in the (very recent) past and is complete, so "You have called the wrong number." (shortened to "you've called") is proper. but the simple past "you called" is not wrong, and is one syllable shorter.



            In practice, I suspect that just "Wrong number!" click or perhaps "Sorry, wrong number." is more common than either. (There was a famous radio play entitled Sorry, Wrong Number by the way. Quite thrilling.)






            share|improve this answer

























            • Thanks for the answer. This is my theory: "You called the wrong number" sounds more like the operator is saying, "You called the wrong number (back then in the past)." And "You've called the wrong number" is more like they are referring to this number (in the present). Not sure if I'm right or wrong.

              – alexchenco
              3 hours ago







            • 1





              @alexchenco either might well be said by the person who answers the phone and determines that the caller made an error. There is no real difference in meaning in common usage.

              – David Siegel
              3 hours ago






            • 1





              @alexchenco I recall an exchange from a comedy routine: "Cherry Hill Baptist Church?" / 'Oi, have you got a wrong number!" (response in an obvious Jewish/Brooklyn accent.)

              – David Siegel
              3 hours ago











            • Maybe I'm wrong but I think "You have called the wrong number" is a little bit more polite than "You called the wrong number"?

              – alexchenco
              3 hours ago






            • 1





              @alexchenco Perhaps, I'm not sure. The difference, if any, is very slight. Either is far more polite than what I think is the more common response.

              – David Siegel
              3 hours ago













            3












            3








            3







            Both are very common and perfectly acceptable. Since this is in fact used in informal speech, I doubt that google can tell us which is more common in practice. Strictly speaking, the calling is in the (very recent) past and is complete, so "You have called the wrong number." (shortened to "you've called") is proper. but the simple past "you called" is not wrong, and is one syllable shorter.



            In practice, I suspect that just "Wrong number!" click or perhaps "Sorry, wrong number." is more common than either. (There was a famous radio play entitled Sorry, Wrong Number by the way. Quite thrilling.)






            share|improve this answer















            Both are very common and perfectly acceptable. Since this is in fact used in informal speech, I doubt that google can tell us which is more common in practice. Strictly speaking, the calling is in the (very recent) past and is complete, so "You have called the wrong number." (shortened to "you've called") is proper. but the simple past "you called" is not wrong, and is one syllable shorter.



            In practice, I suspect that just "Wrong number!" click or perhaps "Sorry, wrong number." is more common than either. (There was a famous radio play entitled Sorry, Wrong Number by the way. Quite thrilling.)







            share|improve this answer














            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer








            edited 3 hours ago









            Eddie Kal

            8,33162968




            8,33162968










            answered 3 hours ago









            David SiegelDavid Siegel

            3,534318




            3,534318












            • Thanks for the answer. This is my theory: "You called the wrong number" sounds more like the operator is saying, "You called the wrong number (back then in the past)." And "You've called the wrong number" is more like they are referring to this number (in the present). Not sure if I'm right or wrong.

              – alexchenco
              3 hours ago







            • 1





              @alexchenco either might well be said by the person who answers the phone and determines that the caller made an error. There is no real difference in meaning in common usage.

              – David Siegel
              3 hours ago






            • 1





              @alexchenco I recall an exchange from a comedy routine: "Cherry Hill Baptist Church?" / 'Oi, have you got a wrong number!" (response in an obvious Jewish/Brooklyn accent.)

              – David Siegel
              3 hours ago











            • Maybe I'm wrong but I think "You have called the wrong number" is a little bit more polite than "You called the wrong number"?

              – alexchenco
              3 hours ago






            • 1





              @alexchenco Perhaps, I'm not sure. The difference, if any, is very slight. Either is far more polite than what I think is the more common response.

              – David Siegel
              3 hours ago

















            • Thanks for the answer. This is my theory: "You called the wrong number" sounds more like the operator is saying, "You called the wrong number (back then in the past)." And "You've called the wrong number" is more like they are referring to this number (in the present). Not sure if I'm right or wrong.

              – alexchenco
              3 hours ago







            • 1





              @alexchenco either might well be said by the person who answers the phone and determines that the caller made an error. There is no real difference in meaning in common usage.

              – David Siegel
              3 hours ago






            • 1





              @alexchenco I recall an exchange from a comedy routine: "Cherry Hill Baptist Church?" / 'Oi, have you got a wrong number!" (response in an obvious Jewish/Brooklyn accent.)

              – David Siegel
              3 hours ago











            • Maybe I'm wrong but I think "You have called the wrong number" is a little bit more polite than "You called the wrong number"?

              – alexchenco
              3 hours ago






            • 1





              @alexchenco Perhaps, I'm not sure. The difference, if any, is very slight. Either is far more polite than what I think is the more common response.

              – David Siegel
              3 hours ago
















            Thanks for the answer. This is my theory: "You called the wrong number" sounds more like the operator is saying, "You called the wrong number (back then in the past)." And "You've called the wrong number" is more like they are referring to this number (in the present). Not sure if I'm right or wrong.

            – alexchenco
            3 hours ago






            Thanks for the answer. This is my theory: "You called the wrong number" sounds more like the operator is saying, "You called the wrong number (back then in the past)." And "You've called the wrong number" is more like they are referring to this number (in the present). Not sure if I'm right or wrong.

            – alexchenco
            3 hours ago





            1




            1





            @alexchenco either might well be said by the person who answers the phone and determines that the caller made an error. There is no real difference in meaning in common usage.

            – David Siegel
            3 hours ago





            @alexchenco either might well be said by the person who answers the phone and determines that the caller made an error. There is no real difference in meaning in common usage.

            – David Siegel
            3 hours ago




            1




            1





            @alexchenco I recall an exchange from a comedy routine: "Cherry Hill Baptist Church?" / 'Oi, have you got a wrong number!" (response in an obvious Jewish/Brooklyn accent.)

            – David Siegel
            3 hours ago





            @alexchenco I recall an exchange from a comedy routine: "Cherry Hill Baptist Church?" / 'Oi, have you got a wrong number!" (response in an obvious Jewish/Brooklyn accent.)

            – David Siegel
            3 hours ago













            Maybe I'm wrong but I think "You have called the wrong number" is a little bit more polite than "You called the wrong number"?

            – alexchenco
            3 hours ago





            Maybe I'm wrong but I think "You have called the wrong number" is a little bit more polite than "You called the wrong number"?

            – alexchenco
            3 hours ago




            1




            1





            @alexchenco Perhaps, I'm not sure. The difference, if any, is very slight. Either is far more polite than what I think is the more common response.

            – David Siegel
            3 hours ago





            @alexchenco Perhaps, I'm not sure. The difference, if any, is very slight. Either is far more polite than what I think is the more common response.

            – David Siegel
            3 hours ago

















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