On Wednesday 02 June 2010 20:20:44 b@pad.ma wrote:
Sorry, my English is weak ;)
not really:
you are mixing up history, physics, astrology and grammar
happens = simple present tense, referring to something that is 'either a habit' or 'happens regularly'. I think it would be reasonable to conclude that since FOSS.in has 'happened' toward the end of the year for the past 9 years, that it 'happens' during November / December.
History: foss.in has not 'happened' for the past 9 years - it has 'happened' for the past 5 years - 2005 to 2009.
Physics/chemistry: if an event (physical event) happens with regularity in fixed conditions with fixed materials, it is reasonable to predict that it will happen again in the same conditions with the same materials. For example I have noticed that water freezes at 7 degrees C in my house, so it is reasonable to expect it to do so if I put a pan of water in conditions of 7 degrees centigrade.
Astrology: if an event happening is based on the whims of a person, predicting it's occurence is the subject of astrology.
Maybe a statement that does not make any assumptions about the future would read something like "foss.in has happened at the end of year for the past 9 years.".
5 years
Am not sure if you violate the spirit of The Zen of Python (in the face of ambiguity, refuse the temptation to guess) by saying 'happens', but I certainly don't think it would be against english grammatical rules to say something 'happens' if it is an observed predictable pattern of behaviour over a period of time, in this case, foss.in 'happening' at the end of the year.
this is not the subject of grammar - rather of logic
Sorry for that - awakened the grammar nazi in me.
sorry for this - awakened the stickler_for_facts Nazi in me