Steven Wells has died (1 Viewer)

[Moods For Mallards]

The headline on Sky News last night said 'Michael Jackson has died'. When should one say 'has died' and when should one say 'is dead'?

I'd say that 'has died' suggests that an event has happened, a thing worthy of being news has occurred.
'Is dead' could be applied to anyone who died ever.

When it's not news anymore, then Michael Jackson 'is dead'.

 

[niallmc]

sad news

 

[Vinnie]

I'd say that 'has died' suggests that an event has happened, a thing worthy of being news has occurred.
'Is dead' could be applied to anyone who died ever.

When it's not news anymore, then Michael Jackson 'is dead'.

And if someone is still alive you should use neither unless you're planning to kill them very soon

 

[Gambra]

I can imagine the raging article he would have written on his death being upstaged by Jackson's

 

[nuke terrorist]

he did some columns for Maximum Rock n Roll about twenty years ago.

 

[RagingForge]

He had some great writings, Love hate relationship towards him.

 

[Lili Marlene]

his last column ends

"Me? I blame it on sunshine. I blame it on the moonlight. I blame it on the boogie."

so obviously he knew what was coming