Korean Job Discussion Forums

[raewon]

In the following passage, I'd choose "having brought" as the correct answer, but it seems as if "bringing" would work also. Is there something I'm missing that would make "bringing" an incorrect choice in this case?

A friend of mine dealt with a problem rather tactfully. Instead of being frank with a guy and expressing her disinterest, she made an effort to introduce him to all of the available girls she knew. Whenever they went out together, she made a point of stopping by the home of one of her friends. After a few weeks, he clicked with one of these girls and the problem was solved. The new girl and the man really hit it off and they were both grateful to my friend for[bringing / having brought] them together.

Thanks for any input/insight.

[JFuller317]

"Having brought" definitely sounds better, but if you pressed me for the reason why I couldn't really give you one.

[cubanlord]

See, I'd be happy to help, but I'm waiting for all of the grammar nazi's on this board to come here and help the guy. Or, do they just show up and make fun of someone because that's what they enjoy doing instead of actually helping people.


waiting...

[JFuller317]

"Bringing" is present tense (present progressive?); "having brought" is a form of past tense (past progressive?). Since you're referring to events that happened in the past, you would use "having brought." But very few people would even notice if you used "bringing."

[banjois]

"Bringing" there acts as a gerund. They're both right, I think.

[gmarthews]

Having brought focuses not just on the act of 'bringing' but also the present result which is that they are together. We can use the perfect tenses when we want to emphasize the result of a past action.

For example:

I've been to Japan focuses on the experience you now have of Japan where as I went to Japan focuses on the act of going to Japan.

In your example both tenses work fine and I know in AM English the use of the present perfect tense isn't as important as it is in British English.



PS- Practical English Usage by Michael Swan is a great book which explains pretty much everything about grammar and style. It's worth buying, maybe there are some second hand copies on ebay?

[The Cosmic Hum]

[raewon]

Thanks for all the replies. Maybe I should just always go with my first
instinct. If only I had that level of confidence.

Cosmic Hum - thanks for the clarification. I got the name right this time. ^^

[thegadfly]

If the new couple were expressing their gratitude at the moment of their meeting, then "bringing" is correct. If they were expressing their gratitude at a later date for the previously-completed act of introducing them, then "having brought" is correct. From the context given, either could be correct, but with clearer context, only one would likely be correct....

[The Cosmic Hum]

[The Cosmic Hum]

[Cerberus]

ez. both are correct though my preference, especially so if writing, would be for "having brought".