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Torsten Learning Coach

Joined: 25 Sep 2003 Posts: 17788 Location: EU
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#3 (permalink) Tue May 22, 2007 1:22 am Difference between interrupt and interfere |
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Why not: Yes, doctor I'm sorry I've interrupted you. It has just happened. So can I use Present Perfect here? |
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Snoopy_Blah_Blah I'm new here and I like it ;-)
Joined: 01 May 2007 Posts: 39
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#4 (permalink) Tue May 22, 2007 11:08 am Difference between interrupt and interfere |
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Snoopy_Blah_Blah wrote: | Why not: Yes, doctor I'm sorry I've interrupted you. It has just happened. So can I use Present Perfect here? |
Yes, the present perfect can also be used here. |
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Conchita Language Coach

Joined: 26 Dec 2005 Posts: 2826 Location: Madrid, Spain
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#5 (permalink) Tue May 22, 2007 12:58 pm Difference between interrupt and interfere |
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. In American English, I would never expect to hear the present perfect used in this type of sentence. Never. The format of an apology about one small, specific and complete action would be "I'm sorry (that) I did that" (simple past tense) or possibly "I'm sorry for doing that" (i.e.for+gerund).
To possibly use the present perfect in this context (in American English), the present perfect would have to be more divorced from the apology itself and, in addition, there would probably be some mention of something else which would directly tie "have interrupted" to the present -- something like this:
"Oh, I'm sorry, Doctor! Now I've interrupted you. Please go on (with what you were saying)." _________________ "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln |
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Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 8325 Location: USA
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#6 (permalink) Tue May 22, 2007 14:05 pm Difference between interrupt and interfere |
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Yankee wrote: | . In American English, I would never expect to hear the present perfect used in this type of sentence. |
As a matter of fact, the present perfect isn't such an important tense in American English, where the rules for its use are different. |
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Conchita Language Coach

Joined: 26 Dec 2005 Posts: 2826 Location: Madrid, Spain
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#7 (permalink) Tue May 22, 2007 16:48 pm Difference between interrupt and interfere |
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Beware, Conchita! :wink:
I've had people disagree with me when I've dared to suggest that there is a difference in the frequency of usage of the present perfect between the US and the UK -- naysayers both here and in other forums. :?
I don't see the difference as a huge one, but I do agree with you that the present perfect tends to be used somewhat more often in BE and that the difference in usage is a noticeable one. _________________ "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln |
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Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 8325 Location: USA
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#8 (permalink) Tue May 22, 2007 20:58 pm Difference between interrupt and interfere |
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Hi, Yankee ;)
could you tell me what on earth naysayers means ? |
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Lost_Soul I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 15 Sep 2006 Posts: 1861 Location: South Park, Colorado, USA
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#9 (permalink) Fri May 25, 2007 15:23 pm Difference between interrupt and interfere |
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tr.v. nay·said (-sd), nay·say·ing, nay·says (-sz) To oppose, deny, or take a pessimistic or negative view of: They will naysay any policy that raises taxes. |
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Swapnil.Kale I'm new here and I like it ;-)
Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 12 Location: Pune, India
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#10 (permalink) Fri May 25, 2007 15:24 pm Difference between interrupt and interfere |
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but can it be used as " Naysayers" ? |
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Swapnil.Kale I'm new here and I like it ;-)
Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 12 Location: Pune, India
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#11 (permalink) Fri Nov 20, 2009 6:13 am Difference between interrupt and interfere |
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Hello, Mr Torsten.. I like your explanation. Maybe can you explain to me the use of "intersected"? Thanks |
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Watie I'm here quite often ;-)
Joined: 11 Nov 2009 Posts: 162 Location: Indonesia
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#12 (permalink) Tue May 03, 2011 10:01 am Re: Difference between interrupt and interfere |
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Lost_Soul wrote: | Hi, Yankee ;)
could you tell me what on earth naysayers means ? |
Naysayer is noun and it means that "one who says no,one who refuses" |
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DemonAFC New Member

Joined: 10 Jul 2010 Posts: 5
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#13 (permalink) Fri Jul 13, 2012 4:38 am Re: Difference between interrupt and interfere |
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I really love American English :) Thanks for your great definition , Yankee :) You are an an excellent teacher indeed :) |
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Ahmad6889 I'm new here and I like it ;-)

Joined: 12 Jul 2012 Posts: 29 Location: Iran
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Kill joy, worried sick | Convey vs. move |