Teacher Discussion Forums

Could a colleague from across the pond let me know if the sentence He didn't finish doing his homework yet is acceptable in US/Canadian English?

Grammar books from the UK would say that you have to say he hasn't finished..., but I think there are differences in use depending which side of the Atlantic you come from.

lolwhites wrote:Could a colleague from across the pond let me know if the sentence He didn't finish doing his homework yet is acceptable in US/Canadian English?

Grammar books from the UK would say that you have to say he hasn't finished..., but I think there are differences in use depending which side of the Atlantic you come from.

In conversational American English, I think you are just as likely (or more likely) to hear "He didn't finish doing his homework yet." as you are to hear "He hasn't finished doing his homework yet." "Did you eat yet?" is more common than "Have you eaten yet?"

I teach that the present perfect form is perceived by some to be "correct," that the present perfect form is the one that should be selected on a standardized test, that languages change over time, and that spoken American English is now accepting of both forms. I don't know what anyone else teaches.

Hey lol and lori

I second Lorikeet's comments. I try to keep yet as a present perfect marker and haven't had to justify the example lol gives, and if ever asked to do so would say just what Lori said. Are we soul sisters or what?



peace,
revel.