The author of these two sentences has been very careful to ensure that the subject of the verbs is portrayed as deeply and emotionally involved in the event being related as happening (to her).  It is implied that the event led to her emotional state and hence, its effects are still being felt.  This then suggests that the perfect aspect may not be appropriate, unless it is important to emphasize that the event is separate and distinct from the present condition (perfect aspect).   I suppose that the event that she needs to relate may be thought to have nothing to do with her present state.  In this case her detachment from it could be brought out, possibly by a therapy counselor, or a psycho-analytic author using the perfect aspect.   

 

There is a similar strangeness of a historical present: (?) “She takes a deep breath and, between sobs, relates what has happened.”  (present perfect)

The curious might also ask what the following means: (?) “She takes a deep breath and, between sobs, relates what happens.” (habitual present)

The more natural situation would seem to dictate: “She takes a deep breath and, between sobs, relates what happened.” (simple past)

 

 

 

What does this sentence mean: She took a deep breath and, between sobs, related what happened?   What does this sentence mean: She took a deep breath and, between sobs, related what had happened?   .brad.04nov09.

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