present perfect in terms of timing

[keannu]

This is from a grammar book, comparing present perfect and past tense in terms of proximity to the present.
I doubt this theory. I don't think how distant a past event is doesn't matter in choosing either of them. You can even choose present perfect for an event that happened a few years ago if it's still affecting the present. What do you think?

gz37
A.Too close to the present to be called an event in the past
ex)Mr. Miller has just left the office. I think you can catch up with him if you hurry.

B. A past event far from the present
ex)Mr. Miller left the office an hour ago. Why don't you try calling him at home?

 

[Raymott]

This is from a grammar book, comparing present perfect and past tense in terms of proximity to the present.
I doubt this theory. I don't think how distant a past event is doesn't matter in choosing either of them. You can even choose present perfect for an event that happened a few years ago if it's still affecting the present. What do you think?

gz37
A.Too close to the present to be called an event in the past
ex)Mr. Miller has just left the office. I think you can catch up with him if you hurry.

B. A past event far from the present
ex)Mr. Miller left the office an hour ago. Why don't you try calling him at home?

Yes, you are right.
The examples given have nothing to do with how long ago these things occurred. You can't use present perfect in B because there is an indicator of when the event occurred - an hour ago, a definite time. That's why the simple past is needed for B.

 

[Tdol]

I'm not very convinced by the explanation for the first- it's about the relevance and connection to the present IMO. You can use the past for very recent events.