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Chalew Posted 21 years ago
Grammar

Grammer

I have difficulty in understanding the diffrent meanings the following sentences have and need explanation.
thanks!

Leave when you have finished
Leave when you finish
leave after you have finished
leave after you finish
  

Top answer

They all mean the same thing, Chalew. ' With the present perfect form ('have finished'), the speaker is subconsciously viewing the situation from the present, while the simple present 'finish' is out of the consideration of time, from the speaker's viewpoint: it is merely a reference point for leaving. This is not a distinction that the speaker can consciously choose as he is speaking, and it has no effect on the listener; therefore, these sentences are all functionally synonymous.

— Mister Micawber

  • They all mean the same thing, Chalew.
  • ' With the present perfect form ('have finished'), the speaker is subconsciously viewing the situation from the present, while the simple present 'finish' is out of the consideration of time, from the speaker's viewpoint: it is merely a reference point for leaving.
  • This is not a distinction that the speaker can consciously choose as he is speaking, and it has no effect on the listener; therefore, these sentences are all functionally synonymous.
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1 Answers
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They all mean the same thing, Chalew.

'When' is often used to mean 'after'-- 'When Isengard fell, Saruman was forced to leave his tower.'

With the present perfect form ('have finished'), the speaker is subconsciously viewing the situation from the present, while the simple present 'finish' is out of the consideration of time, from the speaker's viewpoint: it is merely a refer
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