Asked • 06/10/19

How would you describe the semantic phenomenon that allows this joke?

Groucho Marx had a joke that's long been a favorite of mine: > I've had a wonderful time; this wasn't it. I assume he's using the present perfect to say *I've had a wonderful time.* But, when he tacks on *this wasn't it* does it change to past perfect? Or was it past perfect all along because of the *have had* construction?

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