Which reply would you choose ...

metal56 · Post by **metal56** » Wed Nov 03, 2004 11:50 am

Which reply would you choose, from the two given, and why?

A house. Friday 11:55 p.m:

Speaker 1: Hi, you look tired. How was your week?

Speaker 2: Oh, horrible. I've worked so hard./Oh, I worked so hard. I'm exhausted.

<Edited to suit the Fluffy minds of this world>

fluffyhamster · Post by **fluffyhamster** » Wed Nov 03, 2004 12:16 pm

I wouldn't choose either, because I am a male of the species fluffius hamsterus.

If I were a human woman, I guess I would go for either too, unless I wanted to support and lend further credence to all that I hold dear about Present Perfect.

But HANG ON A SEC...if we knock off the repetitive "(this) week" from the woman's answers, "I've worked/been working so hard" does sound a bit better than "I worked so hard", don't it, eh! (Dunno exactly why, though).

Is that what you wanted to hear, metal? (Prepare yerselves for possible Xui-like rebuttal).

metal56 · Post by **metal56** » Wed Nov 03, 2004 12:27 pm

fluffyhamster wrote:I wouldn't choose either, because I am a male of the species fluffius hamsterus.

If I were a human woman, I guess I would go for either too, unless I wanted to support and lend further credence to all that I hold dear about Present Perfect.

But HANG ON A SEC...if we knock off the repetitive "(this) week" from the woman's answers, "I've worked/been working so hard" does sound a bit better than "I worked so hard", don't it, eh! (Dunno exactly why, though).

Now, now, Fluffy, read the "from the two given".

I've done a special edit, jus four U.

fluffyhamster · Post by **fluffyhamster** » Wed Nov 03, 2004 12:32 pm

Fluffyhamster's bulging cheekpouches deflate (much like rodent in "Ice Age") and disgorge their assorted contents, until he is left to ponder which of the two remaining items he should choose to chew on first.

fluffyhamster · Post by **fluffyhamster** » Wed Nov 03, 2004 12:35 pm

Fluffyhamster catches scent of the juicy edit, and edges back nervously towards the veritable feast now spread out before him...

Ilunga · Post by **Ilunga** » Wed Nov 03, 2004 11:58 pm

I'd usually go for the present perfect, I think most Brits would agree, those across the pond however can choose from either,that's the freedom of choice they enjoy.

metal56 · Post by **metal56** » Thu Nov 04, 2004 12:07 am

Ilunga wrote:I'd usually go for the present perfect, I think most Brits would agree, those across the pond however can choose from either,that's the freedom of choice they enjoy.

What about if it was Saturday 12:05 am?

JuanTwoThree · Post by **JuanTwoThree** » Thu Nov 04, 2004 12:39 am

I work on Saturday mornings.

woodcutter · Post by **woodcutter** » Thu Nov 04, 2004 1:38 am

I finish at 9a.m on Friday. How did I spend the day?

Enough with the wry questions already. However, I'll play the conventional idiot/fall guy. We select present perfect to emphasize the consequences that we "have", or because selecting past simple is odd cos the thing isn't finished.

Stephen Jones · Post by **Stephen Jones** » Sat Nov 06, 2004 10:08 am

In British English it is a subjective decision.

metal56 · Post by **metal56** » Sat Nov 06, 2004 2:15 pm

JuanTwoThree wrote:I work on Saturday mornings.

Don't you find that the weeks just merge into one another?

metal56 · Post by **metal56** » Sat Nov 06, 2004 2:18 pm

woodcutter wrote:I finish at 9a.m on Friday. How did I spend the day?

Enough with the wry questions already.

You seem to be a bit of a complainer, Woody. I cannot understand people like you who complain, but then still join in the discussion. Why not just ignore my questions if they disturb you?

metal56 · Post by **metal56** » Sat Nov 06, 2004 2:19 pm

Stephen Jones wrote:In British English it is a subjective decision.

National notionality?

Thanks.

woodcutter · Post by **woodcutter** » Sun Nov 07, 2004 12:13 am

I was only messing about Metal, but now you mention it I would certainly like to have a discussion. You have posted a number of unusual questions recently, and I have and others have answered them, but you gave little input of your own so a discussion never really took off. You always seem to have time for Xui though!!!