El colmo...

[gatitoverde]

And I never meant to confuse the use of got as an auxillary verb with it's improper usage as a replacement for the past participle gotten. Honestly I was confused and trying to figure out why I've got worked in the one case but sounded improper in the other. That's why I made the comment. In hindsight, I agree with Rusty that as an auxillary verb, got is correctly used with have or has. But I stick by my guns in saying that if you replace your past participle with your preterite, as in I had ran and we had went, you sound like a moron.

[Tomisimo]

Originally Posted by gatitoverde

No, la verdad es que la mayoria de los americanos no conocen (¿conoce? ¿porque es "mayoria"?) las normas de su propio idioma ni los interesan, lamentablemente. Pero los más educados ya las conocen. Mi carrera en la universidad es "English" y por lo tanto, noto todas las reglas rotas. Pero necesito pensar en cuanto la gente acá usa el PP y el Pluperfect.

I guess a good way to put it is that, yes, they're used often enough, but you can get away without using them, and for the most part, people won't take exception or even notice.

You're right about mayoría ... la mayoría de los americanos no conoce... is technically correct, however many native speakers break that rule and use conocen.

otras cositas..

... ni les interesan ...
... en cuanto a la gente acá ...

[gatitoverde]

Thank you for your always so respectful and succinct corrections.