EngLearner
Member
- Joined
- May 13, 2023
- Member Type
- Student or Learner
- Native Language
- Ukrainian
- Home Country
- Ukraine
- Current Location
- Ukraine
Suppose John has committed a crime, and the police have caught and arrested him. After conducting several interrogations, it becomes clear to them that he's not in his right mind. They decide to send him to a mental facility for further medical inspection. They appoint an officer who will be responsible for this task. The officer escorts John to the clinic, where a psychiatrist informs the officer that they will need a week to determine whether John is indeed mentally ill. So, after a week passes, the officer returns, and the doctor says to him:
I've been talking to him personally, and as he's interacted with some of my colleagues, I've been closely watching him. I've come/I came to the conclusion that he's not mentally ill; he's been simulating it the whole time.
I made up the scenario, and I wrote the text that the doctor says to the officer. I wonder if either tense is possible in this context.
Does the present perfect "I've come" imply that the doctor is open to more research, and that his conclusion is not final but rather one that he's come to so far?
Does the simple past "I came" imply that the conclusion is final, and that the doctor is sure that no additional research is needed?
I've been talking to him personally, and as he's interacted with some of my colleagues, I've been closely watching him. I've come/I came to the conclusion that he's not mentally ill; he's been simulating it the whole time.
I made up the scenario, and I wrote the text that the doctor says to the officer. I wonder if either tense is possible in this context.
Does the present perfect "I've come" imply that the doctor is open to more research, and that his conclusion is not final but rather one that he's come to so far?
Does the simple past "I came" imply that the conclusion is final, and that the doctor is sure that no additional research is needed?