Quote:
Originally Posted by hela  Is the use of the present allowed with stative verbs? Why? |
Hi Hela
.
I think simple
simple present tense (+ since + past tense) is sometimes preferable to the
present perfect in the following situations:
- when the sentence is very focused on the state
now (i.e. now that something has happened there is a change). The new state is 24/7 and won't/can't end anytime soon
OR
- in combination with 'no longer' (i.e. a past habit/state has changed and there is
now a new habit/state).
.
Further examples:
-
He weighs less since he started jogging. ('Has weighed' is not possible here.)
-
I no longer have massive problems understanding spoken English since attending that course.
-
She no longer visits twice a week since she got married. (Refers to a past habit and the fact that there is a new habit
now.)
.
You probably won't run into (or need) this use of
simple present tense + since too often, but it does happen. I don't think it is necessarily restricted to stative verbs, but the situation is probably most likely to occur with stative verbs. It seems to me that the idea of a '
change in state or habit' is important here.
.
Since when + present tense is often used when the question is a challenge or in a heated discussion.
.
"
... is the best/greatest thing since sliced bread" is a commonly used expression.
.
Just my two cents. Hope it helps.