present perfect tense

[Unregistered]

Hi there,
Please help:
Which one is more correct?

Some Japanese children don't like to work after graduation. They stay at home, playing computer games. Some people (therefore said/ have therefore said) they are lazy and selfish.

Thanks
simon

 

[riverkid]

Hi there,
Please help:
Which one is more correct?

Some Japanese children don't like to work after graduation. They stay at home, playing computer games. Some people (therefore said/ have therefore said) they are lazy and selfish.

Thanks
simon

Neither is more correct, Simon. Language fits situations. In this context, it doesn't seem as natural, because it seems to lead to a continuative situation where people say time after time, "they are lazy and selfish".

But it could mean,

Some people [at the party] [I spoke to] therefore said they are lazy and selfish.

 

[Wuisi]

The most logical one is the present perfect. You are talking about the present so why use past.

 

[riverkid]

Hi there,
Please help:
Which one is more correct?

Some Japanese children don't like to work after graduation. They stay at home, playing computer games. Some people (therefore said/ have therefore said) they are lazy and selfish.

Thanks
simon

What does sound a bit odd is the use of 'children'. 'Some Japanese young people/young adults ... .'