Globish

metal56 · Post by **metal56** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 12:39 am

lolwhites wrote:
Would these have the same semantic and pragmatic meaning for you?

They have been married for 10 years.
The got married ten years ago.
Not necessarily. Only one sentence would be appropriate if they got divorced last year.

I agree.

Are these possible in AE?

I didn't eat up to now.

So far, I didn't eat.

jotham · Post by **jotham** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 11:53 am

I think Americans prefer the present perfect here. Some dialects may go off the reservation on this.

jotham · Post by **jotham** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 11:58 am

This may have some good tips explaining or teaching some sticky points regarding the present perfect.
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/ ... rfect.html

metal56 · Post by **metal56** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 12:11 pm

jotham wrote:I think Americans prefer the present perfect here. Some dialects may go off the reservation on this.

Why do they prefer the present perfect in such contexts?

Lorikeet · Post by **Lorikeet** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 4:55 pm

metal56 wrote:
jotham wrote:I think Americans prefer the present perfect here. Some dialects may go off the reservation on this.
Why do they prefer the present perfect in such contexts?

Because the idea of something starting in the past and continuing up to now is used for present perfect in AE. It therefore fits "up to now" and "so far".

metal56 · Post by **metal56** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 6:18 pm

Lorikeet wrote:
Because the idea of something starting in the past and continuing up to now

Apparently, in AE, so does the past simple + or minus adverb.

Lorikeet · Post by **Lorikeet** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 10:26 pm

metal56 wrote:
Lorikeet wrote:
Because the idea of something starting in the past and continuing up to now
Apparently, in AE, so does the past simple + or minus adverb.

I'm sorry I don't follow. Can you give an example of past simple minus adverb that has this meaning?

metal56 · Post by **metal56** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 8:46 am

Lorikeet wrote:
I'm sorry I don't follow. Can you give an example of past simple minus adverb that has this meaning?

Did you eat?