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Hiroaki Sone
Joined: 29 Oct 2005
Posts: 32
Location: Sendai, Japan
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 Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2005 7:13 pm Post subject: Present Perfect |
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Hi
Would you be so good as to help me understand the usage of the present perfect in the second sentence? Why is it that the author uses the present perfect here? From my understanding, "less" points to the virus. We have not observed civilizations collapsing; they are functioning. Could I not grasp the sentence as my interpreation of the word, collapse, is to break down utterly? Could it also mean break down partially? Please advise.
Almost all cases have involved people who came into contact with chicken blood or droppings; when and if that changes, it could be the trigger for a global pandemic (following part omitted). Epidemiologist Michael Osterholm of the University of Minnesota calls that scenario "the single greatest risk to our world today." Governments --- indeed civilizations --- have collapsed from less; even if you survive, Osterholm asks, "what happens to you when the global economy shuts down?"
[Excerpted from the Oct. 31 issue of Newsweek]
Hiro/ Sendai, Japan |
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Lorikeet
Joined: 08 Oct 2005
Posts: 1877
Location: San Francisco
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| Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2005 2:19 am Post subject: Re: Present Perfect |
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| Hiroaki Sone wrote: |
Hi
Would you be so good as to help me understand the usage of the present perfect in the second sentence? Why is it that the author uses the present perfect here? From my understanding, "less" points to the virus. We have not observed civilizations collapsing; they are functioning. Could I not grasp the sentence as my interpreation of the word, collapse, is to break down utterly? Could it also mean break down partially? Please advise.
Almost all cases have involved people who came into contact with chicken blood or droppings; when and if that changes, it could be the trigger for a global pandemic (following part omitted). Epidemiologist Michael Osterholm of the University of Minnesota calls that scenario "the single greatest risk to our world today." Governments --- indeed civilizations --- have collapsed from less; even if you survive, Osterholm asks, "what happens to you when the global economy shuts down?"
[Excerpted from the Oct. 31 issue of Newsweek]
Hiro/ Sendai, Japan |
I think he is referring to the collapse of civilizations throughout history. You said, "We have not observed civilizations collapsing; they are functioning." However, there have been many civilizations that were flourishing at a time in history, but are no longer around. |
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