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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Simple past tense or presen perfect tense

I read a sentence this morning "similar statutes were introduced in 13 other states this year". Why simple past tense is used? Shouldn't present perfect tense be used here? Can I say "similar statutes have been introduced in 13 other states this year"?

Thanks!
  

Top answer

The speaker is merely thinking of past introductions, not of future possible ones before 12/31/09. You could just as easily use present perfect.

— Mister Micawber

  • The speaker is merely thinking of past introductions, not of future possible ones before 12/31/09.
  • You could just as easily use present perfect.
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2 Answers
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The speaker is merely thinking of past introductions, not of future possible ones before 12/31/09. You could just as easily use present perfect.
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