I've come to say

Question

Hello....When someone visits someone and says like below....a. I've come to say ~.b. I came to say that ~.***********Among the two expressions above...a. sounds more intimate, and kind?b. sounds more distant, not very intimate, when no further context is given?And sometimes, in the dramas, some people say, "Why did you come here?".In this case, "Why have you come here?" sounds awkward?

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

pructusAmong the two expressions above...a. sounds more intimate, and kind?

Neither.

pructusb. sounds more distant, not very intimate, when no further context is given?

Neither.

pructusAnd sometimes, in the dramas, some people say, "Why did you come here?".In this case, "Why have you come here?" sounds awkward?

No, it is natural.

Pructus · Answer

I see... I see...
Thanks a lot, AlpheccaStars!!

And the difference between these two....

a. What have I said?
b. What did I say?
*************************
Can we say that a. sounds more focused on the speaker and b. more on the listener?
a. is used when the speaker tries to communicate what he wants to say and b.is used to ask about the listener, for example, why are you laughing at what I've just said?
Or, this is far from natives' sense?
There must be something else that cuts Present Perfect from Simple Past?

AlpheccaStars · Answer

pructusCan we say that a. sounds more focused on the speaker and b. more on the listener?

No. There is really no difference between these, but I tend to use the second, which means that I finished saying what you are laughing at.
Why are you laughing at what I've just said?
Why are you laughing at what I just said?

Pructus · Answer

I see... I see...

Thanks so much, AlpheccaStars!!

CalifJim · Answer

pructusWhat have I said?

I don't think I would use this sentence as is. But the following might come up.

What have I said so far? (I've lost my train of thought. I'm trying to think what I should say next.)
What have I said so far? (The teacher wants the student to repeat the lesson to be sure the student understands.)
That's what I've always said. (It has been my habit to say this. I have said the same thing many times in the past.)
What have they been saying about me? (I think there are rumors going around about me. I want to know what they are.)

Though possibly:

What have I said? / What have I just said? (Either I have just told a secret that I was supposed to keep or I have just said something very stupid or I have just said something very rude. In any case I'm expressing my horror that I have said it.)

pructusWhat did I say?

Fine as is.

What did I just say? (Somebody asks a stupid question. I just said, "Close the door", and they weren't paying attention, so they ask "Should I close the door?", and I respond with "What did I just say?", meaning, "That's exactly what I just told you to do. Pay attention!".)

CJ

Pructus · Answer

Thanks CJ!!

To understand the difference between Present Perfect and Simple Past...
Another similar question is...

- I made a pot roast, and I was wondering if you were coming home for dinner.
- (A light laughter)
- What? What did I say?
- Nothing. It's just that's what I always used to say to Peter. (the good wife 101)

********************
Here, as a non-native speaker, I feel that it can’t be “What have I said?”.
Am I right?
And, if so, what is the logic behind?
My non-native logic is that, I finished my saying and now it’s your turn to tell me.
If I say “What have I said?”, it will feel like I haven’t finished saying or at least, I am not asking for your immediate response...

CalifJim · Answer

pructusHere, as a non-native speaker, I feel that it can’t be “What have I said?”.Am I right?

Yes. That sounds right to me.

pructuswhat is the logic behind that/it?

What did I say? ~ What did I say that caused you to laugh just a second ago?

The logic has to do with placement in time. The speaker's conception of the situation is that he/she is talking about an event that can be placed exactly in time. The present perfect never places an event at a given time. The following are all ungrammatical:

What have I said a second ago?
Why have you laughed a second ago?
What has made you laugh a second ago?

Even though the speaker does not say 'a second ago', there is no doubt that he/she thought it.

CJ

Pructus · Answer

Oh, I see... I see...

Your explanations are great enlightenment to me, CJ!!

I've come to say

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