'Just' with Past Simple

[Mzungu39]

Hello,
When I studied English (quite some time ago) the rule/the use of the Present Perfect with 'just' was clear, fixed. Past Simple was not an option. Nowadays I often see/hear examples, especially in American English, where 'just' is used with the Past Simple. Is that grammatically correct/accepted? Example: 1. He has just left. (He's not here anymore). 2. He just left. (He's not here anymore). In my opinion the second option is grammatically incorrect. Am I mistaken? Have the rules changed?
Thank you for your answer.

 

[probus]

Two points @Mzungu39. First, native speakers (of any language) don't rely on rules. Rules help people learn additional languages, but native speakers know intuitively what is acceptable and what is not. Secondly, we here at UE are descriptivists, meaning that whatever native speakers customarily use must be considered acceptable even if it is not strictly grammatical. And as you have correctly observed in AmE the simple past is very often used, even where the past perfect would be better.

 

[Barque]

2. He just left. (He's not here anymore). In my opinion the second option is grammatically incorrect.

It sounds correct to me.

A: (on the phone) Is Mzungu39 coming to meet me?
B: He has just left. He'll be there soon.

A: Has Mzungu39 left for the meeting? He'll be late if he doesn't leave right away.
B: He just left. I'm sure he'll get there on time.

the rule/the use of the Present Perfect with 'just' was clear, fixed. Past Simple was not an option.

I've never heard of this though perhaps there used to be such a rule.

 

[5jj]

in AmE the simple past is very often used, even where the past perfect would be better.

Did you mean 'present perfect'?

 

[5jj]

perhaps there used to be such a rule.

This is still the practice. With the very recent past, the present perfect is normally used with 'just' in BrE, not the past simple.

 

[Mzungu39]

Did you mean 'present perfect'?

Of course.

 

[Tdol]

In my opinion the second option is grammatically incorrect.

I see nothing grammatically incorrect here. The present perfect is more common in British English, but you will hear some people use the past simple. It's a question of usage rather than grammar to me.