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Re: Aspects vs. Tenses in an All-Out Grudge Match!

From:Josh Roth <fuscian@...>
Date:Saturday, August 21, 1999, 5:40
In a message dated 8/21/1999 12:23:28 AM, steven@OLYWA.NET writes:

>Isn't present perfect used instead of simple past in some languages?
Yes, in French for example, except in some literature, and...... maybe=20 sometimes in Italian..... I can't remember anymore. :-( I wonder why in French, some verbs use one auxiliary (avoir-to have) and=20 others (around 20 intransitives) use another (=EAtre-to be). Actually, didn'= t=20 English do this too at one point?
>Jim