Mixing verb forms | Bangkok Post: learning

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It is unusual for speakers to use a single verb-form during a conversation, even a short one. Here is an example of mixing forms, thanks to students from the Rajamangala Institute of Technology in Khon Kaen.

Where did you get that?

In the first part of this activity, Aoi and Ying are talking about a past situation – where Ying got her candy – and a present perfect situation – how many candies she has eaten up until now.

In the second part, Ying really has a choice of the simple past or the present perfect. She chose the past because she considers the situation (eating candy) to be finished.  Present perfect (“I’ve eaten the whole bag of candy”) is also possible, however, because her stomach ache is definitely not finished.

Aoi: Where did you get that?
Ying: I won it in a contest.
Aoi: How many have you eaten?
Ying: About eight.

About 30 minutes later:
Ann: What’s the matter?
Ying: I ate this whole bag.

Thanks to Ying, (Wipawinee  Wongklang), Aoi (Kannika  Prommart)
and Ann (Sangtian Hadrian.

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