Dec 10, 2009 11:32
14 yrs ago
English term
They have dominated international racing for many years
English
Other
Linguistics
grammar
They = a certain brand of motor vehicles.
Does this mean they still dominate international racing or not? This is not a have been + infinitive construction, thus I'm unsure. Thanks for your help!
Does this mean they still dominate international racing or not? This is not a have been + infinitive construction, thus I'm unsure. Thanks for your help!
Responses
+6
6 mins
Jack Doughty
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Native in English
&
English
United Kingdom
Translator since 1953
Native in: English
Works in: Russian to English, German to English, English
Related KudoZ points
:
197
Selected
Yes, it does mean they still dominate it
If they no longer dominated it, it would be simply "dominated" or "used to dominate".
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks everybody! In my case there was no "but" afterwards and I can't divide the points, unfortunately!"
+5
8 mins
It depends on the surrounding context
They have certainly dominated in the past, and the implication is that they still do.
However, that type of construction is often follwed by a "but" and a list of rivals who threaten their dominance or reasons why they are losing their pre-eminence.
However, that type of construction is often follwed by a "but" and a list of rivals who threaten their dominance or reasons why they are losing their pre-eminence.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
danya
: but absolutely! how can one guess whether it's Pres Perf Inclusive or Exclusive, whether the condition/state is still there or not?
1 hr
|
|
Mòran taing.
|
|
| agree |
Jim Tucker (X)
: agree, can't tell: "but now a new shadow looms on the horizon"
2 hrs
|
|
Mòran taing.
|
|
| agree |
Tina Vonhof (X)
4 hrs
|
|
Mòran taing.
|
|
| agree |
Polangmar
10 hrs
|
|
Mòran taing.
|
|
| agree |
British Diana
1 day 6 hrs
|
| neutral |
Sheila Wilson
: Even if it is followed by "but", the use of the Present Perfect means that today, at the time of writing, they still dominate, but tomorrow may be different
2 days 10 hrs
|
Something went wrong...