This is the second time I'm posting the same qu...

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Hi,

I'm sorry, I've already asked about this some weeks ago, but no native speakers replied and the whole thread ended up being confusing and therefore unresolved. I'd like this subject to be clear once and for all.

So this is the second time I'm posting the same quest... wait a second... I'm posting or I've posted?

George W. during an interwiew said: This is the first time I'm seeing this magazine. Then I asked a native speaker (from Virginia) about that, and she said it has to be "I've seen this magazine".She also said: "If someone said that sentence, I would think he was not a native speaker of English." -- I said: "Guess who said that!" -- Her reply: "Either Bill Gates or George."

But a Californian told me that the present continuous is acceptable and so did Califjim in a thread I couldn't continue. Maybe there are some regional differences...

Thank you in advance.

Goodman · Accepted Answer

KooyeenHi,

I'm sorry, I've already asked about this some weeks ago, but no native speakers replied and the whole thread ended up being confusing and therefore unresolved. I'd like this subject to be clear once and for all.

So this is the second time I'm posting the same quest... wait a second... I'm posting or I've posted?

George W. during an interwiew said: This is the first time I'm seeing this magazine. Then I asked a native speaker (from Virginia) about that, and she said it has to be "I've seen this magazine".She also said: "If someone said that sentence, I would think he was not a native speaker of English." -- I said: "Guess who said that!" -- Her reply: "Either Bill Gates or George."

But a Californian told me that the present continuous is acceptable and so did Califjim in a thread I couldn't continue. Maybe there are some regional differences...

Thank you in advance.

For this question, I am inclined to say:

This is the first time I’ve seen this -1

This is the first time I see this -2

This the first time I am seeing this -3

# 1 being my first choice.

If by any chance my comment offended any native speaker, please forgive me, but my observation suggests that not all natives have good command of correct and proper English. It’s rather ironic that this comment comes from a non-native. If a native is not especially interested in English, he most likely won’t put the extra effort to study the terminology and finer points of English. It’s almost like asking a software engineer to speak in Electronic terms.

Kooyeen · Answer

GoodmanThis is the first time I see this -2

That's the only one I'm sure no native speaker would say. Now let's wait for a native speaker, and thank you for your opinion Goodman.

Goodman · Answer

Kooyeen
Goodman
This is the first time I see this -2

That's the only one I'm sure no native speaker would say. Now let's wait for a native speaker, and thank you for your opinion Goodman.

um... how interesting! I find it ok.

Consdier this and compare: This is the first time I sit down since I got up this morning.

BarbaraPA · Answer

I am seeing this now for the first time sounds perfectly natural. It's not terribly hard to twist the order a little to get to "This is the first time I'm seeing this" if you really want to emphasize that (whatever it is) is in front of you, right now, and you are lin the process of ooking at it. Using "seeing" instead of "have seen" emphasizes just how current and up-to-the-moment the activity is. I don't think it's the most elegant way to say it (I'd prefer what I said first) but remember that people don't plan their spontaneous speech the way the plan their written words.

And I'm sorry to say, I don't find "This is the first time I see it" or "This is the first time I sit down" natural to my American English ears. "This is the first time I've seen it" or "This is the first time I've sat down."

Goodman · Answer

Grammar GeekI am seeing this now for the first time sounds perfectly natural. It's not terribly hard to twist the order a little to get to "This is the first time I'm seeing this" if you really want to emphasize that (whatever it is) is in front of you, right now, and you are lin the process of ooking at it. Using "seeing" instead of "have seen" emphasizes just how current and up-to-the-moment the activity is. I don't think it's the most elegant way to say it (I'd prefer what I said first) but remember that people don't plan their spontaneous speech the way the plan their written words.

And I'm sorry to say, I don't find "This is the first time I see it" or "This is the first time I sit down" natural to my American English ears. "This is the first time I've seen it" or "This is the first time I've sat down."

I think we are really trying to split hair here. As I had indicated in my last posting, I chose "have seen" as my first choice. But if someone said "it's the first time I see it", I would still take it as acceptable. By the way, I found "I am seeing this now for the first time" more soothing to the ears as well.

Let’s play a game of words. GG, What if I said “ it’s the first time I have a chance to sit down today”. Do you still find it hard on your ears?

Do you recognize me?

No, I believe it’s the first time [we meet] / [I talk to you].

I really feel it’s acceptable.

BarbaraPA · Answer

I'm so sorry to disagree with you, Goodman, but I do.

It's the first chance I have had to sit. It's the first time we've met. It's the first time I've talked to you. All require the present perfect in my opinion. Let's wait to hear from CJ or Clive, okay?

CalifJim · Answer

I did a search on 'seeing magazine CalifJim' and got no hits.
So there doesn't appear to be a post on this forum in which I answer a question about that sentence.
If I am mistaken, please let me know which thread it is. I'm curious about what I said.

CJ

Clive · Answer

Hi Goodman,

I agree with GG.

“ it’s the first time I have a chance to sit down today”.

Natural wording would be “It’s the first time I've had a chance to sit down today”.

Sounding natural can be a challenge sometimes.

Best wishes, Clive

Clive · Answer

Hi again Goodman,

“ it’s the first time I have a chance to sit down today”.

I thought about this a bit more. You could say

Finally, I have a chance to sit down.

The issue with the tenses is what time period you are referencing, which can sometimes be a little tricky.

Best wishes, Clive

Goodman · Answer

Hi GG, CJ,Clive and Lewis,

Hope I didn’t miss anyone! Thanks for the reply. I’d like to make it clear that I am not trying to be different or argumentative about the original sentence that triggered the discussion. “It’s the first time I…” was the context. If we changed the context, then it’s more or less equivalent to changing the equatation of math problem. It’s not quite the same any longer. Of course I agree, the correct and most acceptable form is present perfect. My argument is, is it completely grammatically wrong to use a simple present tense in the “It’s the first time I try this product” context?. My logic is, if it’s the firs time, it must be present, and why can't we use present tense, if present continuous is acceptable? I promise, I give it a break after this post.

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