ABSTRACT

This chapter discusses the relationship between "HAVE" as a full verb and "HAVE" as auxiliary of the perfect, the date of grammaticisation of the "HAVE" perfect, the relationship between the "HAVE" perfect and certain other "HAVE" + past participle constructions. It also discusses the choice between "HAVE" and "BE" as auxiliaries, and the date of grammaticisation of the BE perfect. The "HAVE" perfect is a syntagm made up of "HAVE" and a lexical past participle. It has the same argument structure as the lexical verb used alone and differs from a simple present or past in time reference and/or aspect or phase. Other "HAVE" + past participle constructions are of possible relevance to the history of the "HAVE" perfect as precursors, competitors, or subsequent developments. The history of the "BE" perfect in English has been one of continuous retreat in the face of the advancing "HAVE" perfect.