she bit the dust... I didn't hear about that

[jutfrank]

When two or more tenses/aspects in an utterance are grammatical and sound natural, is is pointless to try to explain why a speaker used one and not the other(s).

I can't agree with that. I think that's exactly what you have to do.

We have no way of knowing how the speaker viewed the situation at the moment of speaking.

But we do—the aspect that is chosen tells us precisely that.

 

[jutfrank]

I've started reading the letter and so far I've found out that my aunt is dead. I've told my wife about it, but there's more to read, so I have to continue reading. When I'm finished, I can consign her death to the past unless I find out in the letter that there's something else I have to do in the present in connection with her death.

Would you agree with that?

Possibly. I think you're thinking more or less in the right way, yes.

 

[5jj]

I can't agree with that. I think that's exactly what you have to do.

But we do—the aspect that is chosen tells us precisely that.

Unfortunately my mind-reading skills are a little rusty.

 

[jutfrank]

Unfortunately my mind-reading skills are a little rusty.

Ah, but no they're not. We read minds all the time. In fact, you're doing it right now. The language someone uses tells you a lot about the thoughts they're having.