Re: [tied] Re: Satem shift

----- Original Message -----

From: Glen Gordon

To: cybalist@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Tuesday, August 21, 2001 3:40 PM

Subject: Re: [tied] Re: Satem shift

Torsten:
>>As I've heard it, the tendency in American English today is for the
>>past participle to be used everywhere eg.: "I have went", "I have >>took".

<snip>

 

[PCR]

I cannot speak to Canadian English but as to American English, the present perfect is alive and well.

For example:

 

"When he (ha)s eaten, we (wi)ll go."

 

is a perfectly normal expression.

**"When he ate, we'll go."

 

would be regarded as incorrect in any social context.

 

Similarly,

 

"Where (ha)s he gone?"

 

**"Where he went.""

 

In main declarative clauses, the past frequently replaces the present perfect, ignoring the nuances.

 

"He (ha)s gone to the store."

 

"He went to the store."

 

For habituals, the present frequently replaces the present perfect:

 

"He (ha)s always eaten well."

 

"He always eats well."

 

But:

 

"He (ha)s always eaten well but now he can't."

 

**"He always eats well but now he can't."

 

 

Pat

 

PATRICK C. RYAN | PROTO-LANGUAGE@...
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