Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

BMO · Joined: 19 Feb 2004 Posts: 705

He acquired quite a few Ming porcelain pieces in his life time.

Is he dead?

Thanks.

bmo

Brian Boyd · Joined: 18 Oct 2005 Posts: 176 Location: Bangkok, Thailand

Yes.

If he was still alive, you'd use the present perfect (has/have + past participle) to show that he's collected quite a few up until now, but he might also collect some more in the future. By using the past simple tense, you suggest that his collecting days are finished (he's dead).

He acquired quite a few Ming porcelain pieces in his life time. (but he won't be aquiring any more, because he's pushing up daisies)

He has acquired quite a few Ming porcelain pieces in his life time. (and maybe he'll aquire some more)

bud · Joined: 09 Mar 2003 Posts: 2111 Location: New Jersey, US

Nice answer, Brian! But maybe I'd stop short of concluding that he was dead. I think "that his collecting days are finished" is good enough. Maybe he is old and infirm and clearly beyond being able to collect any more. A small point, but what do you think?

Brian Boyd · Joined: 18 Oct 2005 Posts: 176 Location: Bangkok, Thailand

I've read it a few times, Bud - but to me it still reads like the subject has died.

Even if he was really old and retired from collecting, you'd still use the present perfect to talk about the experiences of his life...

He had acquired many vases, he has visited lots of countries and he has sailed numerous seas.

- he's stopped all of these now, but he's still alive to dream of his younger days.

When you use the past simple in the same sentence as mentioning 'his lifetime' the two combine to give the impression of something that has finished (ie - the lifetime!).

What do other people think about this one?

admiral · Joined: 17 Sep 2005 Posts: 546

Bob S. · Joined: 29 Apr 2004 Posts: 1767 Location: So. Cal

I gotta go with Brian on this. The simple past tense plus "in his life time" does imply that he is now dead because both are now finished.

Take away "in his life time" and you cannot be sure. Change to present perfect tense (He has acquired...) and it implies he is still alive.

For example:
"He acquired quite a few Ming porcelain pieces before his heart condition prevented him from traveling overseas."
He could still be alive, just not traveling anymore.

BMO · Joined: 19 Feb 2004 Posts: 705

Thank you all guys, loud and clear. We have quite a discussion here.

bmo

bud · Joined: 09 Mar 2003 Posts: 2111 Location: New Jersey, US

Okay, then. I'll defer to you guys!