Is It Grammatically Correct to Say ‘Donald Trump Has Lost the Election’?

When it comes to phrasing statements about election results, it is not just a matter of conveying the correct message but also ensuring grammatical correctness. Often, people wonder if certain phrases are correct, such as whether to say, 'Donald Trump has lost the election.' This article aims to clarify some grammatical nuances and explore the appropriate ways to express the outcome of the election.

The Grammatical Correctness of ‘Donald Trump Has Lost the Election’

The question is often spurred by people’s support for a particular candidate, like Biden. For Democrats and Biden supporters, saying, 'That is correct and make sure you tell your friends that exactly as quoted!' is a way to rally the community and affirm the correctness of their beliefs. However, such exclamations, while boosting morale, do not necessarily reflect the grammatical accuracy of the statement.

Three Proper Phrases to Phrase the Sentence

Here are three grammatically correct ways to phrase the sentence:

Donald Trump has lost the election. In this sentence, the present perfect auxiliary 'has' agrees with the subject 'Donald Trump,' which is a third-person singular noun.

Donald Trump has lost the 2020 election. In this phrasing, 2020 is used as an adjective, continuing to use the present perfect aspect of the verb 'has lost.' This construction is also grammatically correct and often seen in news reports.

Donald Trump lost the election in 2020. In this sentence, the simple past tense is used, reflecting the exact year. This tense is more specific and clear but might seem less fluid than the present perfect.

Understanding the Present Perfect Tense

The present perfect tense is a grammatical construction used to talk about something that happened in the past but still has a connection to the present. It is formed with the auxiliary 'have/has' followed by the past participle of the main verb.

There are different conditions under which the present perfect tense can be used:

Time ranges: These are phrases indicating a period, such as 'I have lived here for twenty years.' The time phrase here indicates a range but not a specific point in time.

Since clauses: These are used to indicate a time from which actions are continuously performed. For example, 'I have lived here since 1989.' Again, a range of time, not a single point in time, is indicated.

Actions that have resulted in the present: These actions are completed with ongoing consequences. An example would be 'I have just eaten,' indicating an action that has happened recently and has effects in the present.

Why Present Perfect Cannot Combine with Past Time-Specific Markers

One reason the present perfect tense cannot combine with past time-specific markers like 'in the year' is that it is not designed for marking specific points in the past. The present perfect tense is better suited for actions that have a connection to the present, which may not necessarily be a specific point in the past. For example:

Ranges: It can combine with time ranges, e.g., 'I have lived here for twenty years.' This indicates a range of time and not a specific point of time.

Such as: In 1989 and 1990, I lived here.

Such as: I have lived here since October 1989. (Since a specific starting time)

No: I have lived here in 1989 is grammatically incorrect because it specifies a single point in time.

Therefore, while sentences like 'I have lived here since 1989' are correct, saying 'I have lived here in 1989' is not because it points to a single specific point in the past, which does not align with the nature of the present perfect tense.

Understanding these grammatical rules helps in making clear and accurate statements, which is especially important in contexts like election results, where precision is crucial for communication.