New topic
Printable| Author | Message |
Native English speakers - I need you help... once again.
Can you say in English "are you finished"? If so, what´s the difference between "are you finished" and "have you finished"? [Edited 5/8/07 12:37pm] "When Michael Jackson is just singing and dancing, you just think this is an astonishing talent. And he has had this astounding talent all his life, but we want him to be floored as well. We really don´t like the idea that he could have it all." | |
- E-mail - orgNote -  Report post to moderator |
dag said: Once again.
Can you say in English "are you finished"? If so, what´s the difference between "are you finished" and "have you finished"? I would reply "have you finished?" are you finished is rather bad english. You are asking a question and have is asking whereas are is rather stating....  "I may not agree with what you say but I'll fight for your right to say it"
Be proud of who you are not what they want you to be... | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
^^interesting...my post didn't go through the first time...hmmm. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
blueblossom said: dag said: Once again.
Can you say in English "are you finished"? If so, what´s the difference between "are you finished" and "have you finished"? I would reply "have you finished?" are you finished is rather bad english. You are asking a question and have is asking whereas are is rather stating.... thanks for the reply. So you are saying that both are possible but "are you finished" is bad English. And the other difference is that "Are you finished" is a statement and "have you finished" is a question? Have I got it right? "When Michael Jackson is just singing and dancing, you just think this is an astonishing talent. And he has had this astounding talent all his life, but we want him to be floored as well. We really don´t like the idea that he could have it all." | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
"have you finished" refers to an action a person is performing, like "have you finished doing the laundry?" It means "Is the task finished?"
"are you finished" refers to a condition that the person is in. If someone was running out of energy I might ask "Are you finished?" Meaning "is the person finished" regardless of whether or not the task is finished. [Edited 5/8/07 12:56pm] My Legacy
http://prince.org/msg/8/192731 | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
dag said: blueblossom said: I would reply "have you finished?" are you finished is rather bad english. You are asking a question and have is asking whereas are is rather stating.... thanks for the reply. So you are saying that both are possible but "are you finished" is bad English. And the other difference is that "Are you finished" is a statement and "have you finished" is a question? Have I got it right? yes and rather eloquently if I may say so. "I may not agree with what you say but I'll fight for your right to say it"
Be proud of who you are not what they want you to be... | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
NDRU said: "have you finished" refers to an action a person is performing, like "have you finished doing the laundry?" It means "Is the task finished?"
"are you finished" refers to a condition that the person is in. If someone was running out of energy I might ask "Are you finished?" Meaning "is the person finished" regardless of whether or not the task is finished. [Edited 5/8/07 12:56pm] Thanks a lot. I got it. "When Michael Jackson is just singing and dancing, you just think this is an astonishing talent. And he has had this astounding talent all his life, but we want him to be floored as well. We really don´t like the idea that he could have it all." | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
NDRU said: "have you finished" refers to an action a person is performing, like "have you finished doing the laundry?" It means "Is the task finished?"
"are you finished" refers to a condition that the person is in. If someone was running out of energy I might ask "Are you finished?" Meaning "is the person finished" regardless of whether or not the task is finished. [Edited 5/8/07 12:56pm] I agree. That's the grammatically correct way to use the phrases. But "are you finished" is usually used the same way "have you finished" is used even though it isn't grammatically correct. I can ask someone doing the laundry, "Are you finished?" Technically I should be asking "Have you finished?"... since the person doing the laundry isn't going to be finished... but it's the laundry that's going to be finished... Also, "Are you finished?" is not as polite as "Have you finished?" in my opinion. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
| Ex-Moderator |
NDRU said: "have you finished" refers to an action a person is performing, like "have you finished doing the laundry?" It means "Is the task finished?"
"are you finished" refers to a condition that the person is in. If someone was running out of energy I might ask "Are you finished?" Meaning "is the person finished" regardless of whether or not the task is finished. [Edited 5/8/07 12:56pm] perfect! |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
For me,
"are you finished?" is usually asked with a sense of "C'mon, be done with it already". "Have you finished?" can usually be translated as "What?! You came already?" | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
coolcat said: NDRU said: "have you finished" refers to an action a person is performing, like "have you finished doing the laundry?" It means "Is the task finished?"
"are you finished" refers to a condition that the person is in. If someone was running out of energy I might ask "Are you finished?" Meaning "is the person finished" regardless of whether or not the task is finished. [Edited 5/8/07 12:56pm] I agree. That's the grammatically correct way to use the phrases. But "are you finished" is usually used the same way "have you finished" is used even though it isn't grammatically correct. I can ask someone doing the laundry, "Are you finished?" Technically I should be asking "Have you finished?"... since the person doing the laundry isn't going to be finished... but it's the laundry that's going to be finished... Also, "Are you finished?" is not as polite as "Have you finished?" in my opinion. I'd agree with all of that  My Legacy
http://prince.org/msg/8/192731 | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
thanks, guys. I appreaciate your explanations!  "When Michael Jackson is just singing and dancing, you just think this is an astonishing talent. And he has had this astounding talent all his life, but we want him to be floored as well. We really don´t like the idea that he could have it all." | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
dag said: thanks, guys. I appreaciate your explanations!
Hey, no prob. 
That's what we're here for. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
"have you" definately being more polite.
however the situation dictates. as a non native speaker i don't think anyone should give you a hard time regardless as the two are virtually interchangable. if a waiter asked me "are you finished eating" it would be a bit abrupt but i wouldn't go 
however if you said "have we arrived at the station yet?" it is a bit too formal when "are we at the station yet?" would suffice.  She couldn't stop crying 'cause she knew he was gone to stay | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Illustrator said: dag said: thanks, guys. I appreaciate your explanations!
Hey, no prob.
That's what we're here for.
"have you" definately being more polite.
however the situation dictates. as a non native speaker i don't think anyone should give you a hard time regardless as the two are virtually interchangable. if a waiter asked me "are you finished eating" it would be a bit abrupt but i wouldn't go however if you said "have we arrived at the station yet?" it is a bit too formal when "are we at the station yet?" would suffice. Interesting, so I can use "to be" instead of present perfect to sound informal. "When Michael Jackson is just singing and dancing, you just think this is an astonishing talent. And he has had this astounding talent all his life, but we want him to be floored as well. We really don´t like the idea that he could have it all." | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
emm said: however the situation dictates. as a non native speaker i don't think anyone should give you a hard time regardless as the two are virtually interchangable. The difference is very small & subtle. You'll definitely get your message across saying either, and probably won't offend anyone (or end up on Engrish.com). My Legacy
http://prince.org/msg/8/192731 | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
dag said: what´s the difference between "are you finished" and "have you finished"?
A young boy is more likely to say the former when Michael Jackson stops moving his penis in their rectum. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Ace said: dag said: what´s the difference between "are you finished" and "have you finished"?
A young boy is more likely to say the former when Michael Jackson stops moving his penis in their rectum.  "When Michael Jackson is just singing and dancing, you just think this is an astonishing talent. And he has had this astounding talent all his life, but we want him to be floored as well. We really don´t like the idea that he could have it all." | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |