MrPernickety  +  614826 Fri, 19 Dec 08 06:57 AM  Hi, everyone ! Could you tell me if the phrases below are "becoming" (or proper) and, if yes, do they mean the sentences I added after each in parenthesis: 1. That is the last I've seen of her (She's off to some place and I will never see her again) 2. That was the last I've/I had seen of her (She had gone somewhere at some point in time and I have never seen her ever since and will never see her again) Thanks ! MrPernickety Joined on Sat, Oct 25 2008 Regular Member 731 Amendment XXX to the US Constitution: No man shall be held accountable for any promise he makes while drunk unless it was a bet. Sentences

	Mister Micawber  +  614855 Fri, 19 Dec 08 07:41 AM . 1. That is the last I've seen of her (She was off to some place at some point in the past and I have never seen her again)-- Yes, as amended by me. 2. That was the last I've seen of her (She went somewhere at some point in the past and I have never seen her ever since)-- Yes, as amended by me. 3.  That was the last I saw of her  (She went somewhere at some point in the past and I have never seen her since)-- Yes, as amended by me. . Mister Micawber Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004 Yokohama Veteran Member 30,788 'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.'

	MrPernickety  +  614866 Fri, 19 Dec 08 07:50 AM Hi, MM Many thanks for such an encompassing explanation ! So, in a nutshell, there is no noticeable difference among the three expressions ? Thanks again ! MrPernickety

	Mister Micawber  +  614870 Fri, 19 Dec 08 07:58 AM . I see none, really-- with present perfect, the speaker is visualizing the event as more immediate in some way. . Mister Micawber Present Tenses, Present Perfect

	Delmobile  +  615180 Fri, 19 Dec 08 03:37 PM  Mr. M, do you not think the phrase "last I've seen of her" is just a bit flippant? I think it usually carries a certain sense of exasperation, maybe, as though the person's disappearance was not quite in order.  I can't imagine, for instance, using this phrase to explain to the company vice-president that you haven't heard from your boss since he left the office four days ago.   Delmobile Joined on Wed, Jan 2 2008 Contributing Member 1,082 Careers, Business

	Mister Micawber  +  615446 Fri, 19 Dec 08 11:35 PM . 'Flippant'?  I suppose it is used that way sometimes.  I think it can carry various overtones.  I can imagine, for instance, a murder suspect saying that of the victim. . Mister Micawber