Why, speaking in 2007, can we say:
"Princeton has been visited by Einstein."
but not:
"Einstein has visited Princeton."
"Princeton has been visited by Einstein."
but not:
"Einstein has visited Princeton."
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Princeton visited
Why, speaking in 2007, can we say:
"Princeton has been visited by Einstein." but not: "Einstein has visited Princeton."
The sentence "Einstein has visited Princeton." may imply that Einstein is still alive (and capable of visiting other universities), whereas "Princeton has been visited by Einstein." does not say much about Einstein's present state.
I agree with Gabriel. The former sentence says something about Princeton.
"What can you tell me about Princeton?"
? "Well, it has been visited by Einstein." The reply sounds odd. Better with the past simple. "What can you tell me about Princeton?" ? "Well, it was visited by Einstein." ,,,,,,,,,, But here, the present perfect sounds fine: "What can you tell me about Princeton?" ? "Well, it has been visited by Einstein, Friedman,... I wonder why that is? |