They have dominated international racing for many years

English translation: Yes, it does mean they still dominate it

11:32 Dec 10, 2009
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Linguistics / grammar
English term or phrase: They have dominated international racing for many years
They = a certain brand of motor vehicles.

Does this mean they still dominate international racing or not? This is not a have been + infinitive construction, thus I'm unsure. Thanks for your help!
Andrea Jarmuschewski
France
Local time: 11:12
Selected answer:Yes, it does mean they still dominate it
Explanation:
If they no longer dominated it, it would be simply "dominated" or "used to dominate".
Selected response from:

Jack Doughty
United Kingdom
Local time: 10:12
Grading comment
Thanks everybody! In my case there was no "but" afterwards and I can't divide the points, unfortunately!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +6Yes, it does mean they still dominate it
Jack Doughty
4 +5It depends on the surrounding context
kmtext


  

Answers


6 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +6
they have dominated international racing for many years
Yes, it does mean they still dominate it


Explanation:
If they no longer dominated it, it would be simply "dominated" or "used to dominate".

Jack Doughty
United Kingdom
Local time: 10:12
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 197
Grading comment
Thanks everybody! In my case there was no "but" afterwards and I can't divide the points, unfortunately!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Liam Hamilton
43 mins
  -> Thank you.

agree  Vicky Nash
45 mins
  -> Thank you.

agree  Demi Ebrite
59 mins
  -> Thank you.

agree  Rolf Keiser
1 hr
  -> Thank you.

agree  cmwilliams (X)
5 hrs
  -> Thank you.

agree  John Detre
8 hrs
  -> Thank you.
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8 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +5
they have dominated international racing for many years
It depends on the surrounding context


Explanation:
They have certainly dominated in the past, and the implication is that they still do.

However, that type of construction is often follwed by a "but" and a list of rivals who threaten their dominance or reasons why they are losing their pre-eminence.

kmtext
United Kingdom
Local time: 10:12
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in GaelicGaelic

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  danya: but absolutely! how can one guess whether it's Pres Perf Inclusive or Exclusive, whether the condition/state is still there or not?
1 hr
  -> Mòran taing.

agree  Jim Tucker (X): agree, can't tell: "but now a new shadow looms on the horizon"
2 hrs
  -> Mòran taing.

agree  Tina Vonhof (X)
4 hrs
  -> Mòran taing.

agree  Polangmar
10 hrs
  -> Mòran taing.

agree  British Diana
1 day 6 hrs

neutral  Sheila Wilson: Even if it is followed by "but", the use of the Present Perfect means that today, at the time of writing, they still dominate, but tomorrow may be different
2 days 10 hrs
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