A look at how the present perfect is used to describe the lives and careers of people who are still living, while the simple past is used for those of people who are not. Donald Trump's use of the present perfect hints that he may not know who Frederick Douglass is.

1. PRESENT PERFECT VS.
SIMPLE PAST
AN APPLIED LESSON FROM THE NEWS

2. FREDERICK DOUGLASS
• 1818-1895
• Former slave
• Writer, activist, politician
• Author: Narrative of the Life of Frederick
Douglass, an American Slave
• “Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where
ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel
that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and
degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe.”
(brainyquote.com)

3. DONALD TRUMP, SPEAKING ABOUT FREDERICK
DOUGLASS
• “Frederick Douglass is an example
of somebody who’s done an
amazing job and is getting
recognized more and more, I
notice.”
Carlos Barria/Reuters

4. COMPARE: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
• “Springsteen's recordings have included both commercially
accessible rock albums and more somber folk-oriented works.”
(Wikipedia)
• “Bruce Springsteen has served as a cultural phenomenon…”
(brucespringsteen.net)

5. COMPARE: ABRAHAM LINCOLN
• “Lincoln led the United States through its Civil War.”
(Wikipedia)
• “Contrary to expectations, Lincoln proved to be a shrewd military
strategist and a savvy leader during what became the costliest
conflict ever fought on American soil.”
(history.com)

6. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN: PRESENT PERFECT
• “Springsteen's recordings have included both commercially
accessible rock albums and more somber folk-oriented works.”
(Wikipedia)
• “Bruce Springsteen has served as a cultural phenomenon…”
(brucespringsteen.net)

7. ABRAHAM LINCOLN: SIMPLE PAST
• “Lincoln led the United States through its Civil War.”
(Wikipedia)
• “Contrary to expectations, Lincoln proved to be a shrewd military
strategist and a savvy leader during what became the costliest
conflict ever fought on American soil.”
(history.com)

8. DONALD TRUMP, SPEAKING ABOUT FREDERICK
DOUGLASS
• “Frederick Douglass is an example of somebody
who’s done an amazing job and is getting
recognized more and more, I notice.”
• “’I think [President Trump] wants to highlight the
contributions that he has made,’ Spicer said.
“’And I think through a lot of the actions and
statements that he’s [who is?] going to make, I
think the contributions of Frederick Douglass will
become more and more.’”
(http://www.vox.com/identities/2017/2/1/144766
76/trump-spicer-frederick-douglass)
Carlos Barria/Reuters

9. IS THE PRESENT PERFECT APPROPRIATE FOR
SPEAKING ABOUT DEAD PEOPLE?
• For their accomplishments, probably not.
• For their influence, possibly.
• Does President Trump know who Frederick Douglass was?
• “Do Donald Trump and Sean Spicer know who Frederick Douglass is? It’s not
really clear.”
(http://www.vox.com/identities/2017/2/1/14476676/trump-spicer-frederick-
douglass)