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Caruso Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

pls, I need to know point of view of native speakers

My question could seem to be very simple but the reasons which makes me ask this question connect with the understanding of fundamental principles of the construction of English language. That’s why my question is aimed at native English speakers. I would like to know their point of view but not from position of grammar but how they understand some aspect of the language. So, my question is connected with perfect verb form. In grammars books it is said that verb forms are made with “have” + “past participle” (for example: I have broken my phone). Also added are that the verb “have” in this case loses its own semantic meaning and It is used for showing time and voice but “Participle” gives semantic meaning of action.

But I think to myself if “have” shows not only time and voice to native speakers but plays the role of verb that expresses state like in old English where to make perfect verb form it’s used “be” instead of “have” - for example “autumn is come” (in this example verb expresses state and action at the same time), So, question is - for native speakers perfect form is understood initially as finished action (using perfect form, speaker means result of action or its connection with present so on but in general for speaker it’s action) or perfect form is understood initially as state? (in this example – “autumn is come” we see that this perfect form of old English expresses some state, not action) so how is it for native speakers in modern English?

Thx advance
  

Top answer

Caruso verb forms are made with “have” + “past participle” (for example: I have broken my phone). the verb “have” in this case loses its own semantic meaning and It is used for showing time and voice but “Participle” gives semantic meaning of action. Right.

  • Caruso verb forms are made with “have” + “past participle” (for example: I have broken my phone).
  • the verb “have” in this case loses its own semantic meaning and It is used for showing time and voice but “Participle” gives semantic meaning of action.
  • Right.
  • Caruso question is - for native speakers perfect form is understood initially as finished action (using perfect form, speaker means result of action or its connection with present so on but in general for speaker it’s action) or perfect form is understood initially as state?
  • Not a state, but a completed action.
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2 Answers
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Carusoverb forms are made with “have” + “past participle” (for example: I have broken my phone). ... the verb “have” in this case loses its own semantic meaning and It is used for showing time and voice but “Participle” gives semantic meaning of action.
Right.
Carusoquestion is - for native speakers perfect form is understood initially

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