Abstract

ABSTRACTCertain differences between Dutch and English use of the present perfect are considered in relation to a more general difference between the two languages that involves temporal inclusion. It is shown that Dutch and English exploit different means of expressing a temporal inclusion relation between two events, notably where Vendler's activities and accomplishments are concerned. Precisely in those cases Dutch and English use the present perfect in different ways. But when there are no differences in the expression of temporal inclusion, notably where Vendler's states are concerned, the two languages use the present perfect in the same way