Date:    Fri, 22 May 1998 11:49:51 -0400
<br>From:    Beverly Flanigan <flanigan[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]OAK.CATS.OHIOU.EDU>
<br>Subject: Re: your query
<br>
<br>I just read about this construction recently but can't recall where; I'll
<br>keep looking, and perhaps someone else will find it too.  The past perfect
<br>is what's at issue (with deleted participle suffix /d/, common in speech),
<br>and apparently it's becoming used in African American English where simple
<br>past would be sufficient.  Does this fit your findings?
<br>
<br>
<br>At , you wrote:
<br>>At 04:31 PM 5/21/98 -0500, you wrote:
<br>>>        Recently, I have been hearing  this phrase when someone is
<br>>>responding to various questions such as where were you?  what happened to
<br>>>you?  I thought you were going to....?  and on occassions where someon is
<br>explaining their reasoning for certain answers.
<br>>>reasons for answer etc.
<br>>>
<br>>>Is this a common nonstandard form or is it becoming more common recently?
<br>>>Are there any studies out there on this construction? Where can I find
<br>>>them?
<br>>>
<br>>>Ditra B. Henry
<br>>>ESL Coordinator
<br>>>Project Success
<br>>>Northeastern Illinois University
<br>>>5500 North St. Louis Ave.
<br>>>Chicago, IL  60625-4699
<br>>>ph. 773-583-4050 xt.3162
<br>>>D-Henry1[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]neiu.edu
<br>>>
<br>