Could you please tell me PPCT and PPT...

Question

Hi everybody,#1 I think sometimes 'present perfect continuous tense' and 'present perfect tense' are the same. Am I right?#2 I've just seen that film you were talking about.I've just seen that film you are talking about.Are both ok?#3 He's been looking for a job since he was 25.The person has not found a job since he was 25.Are both the same?Thank you

Peaceblinkfriend · Accepted Answer

Hi goat

1.

These pages explain the two tenses quite nicely with the help of timelines. PPCT PPT
This page compares the both.

Did you want to give us an example where you think either one could be used to the same effect? The word 'same' can be quite tricky as it depends on the subtlety you are looking for.

2.
Both sounds natural but have slightly different meanings.
Use the first if the other person talked about the film a while ago. If he/she taked about the film in the past and again at this moment, you can say the second one. It depends on when was the last time "you" talked about the film. Now or in the past.

3.
Depending on the scenario, both sounds natural.

-He's been looking for a job since he was 25.
This put the focus on him searching for a job without any success in getting one yet. It could also mean he has had success getting jobs but kept on losing them and has been in this cycle since 25. However, to emphasise this I would say 'He's been looking for a permanent job since he was 25.

-The person has not found a job since he was 25.
This doesn't focus on him searching for a job. It's just telling us he may have been looking for a job but hasn't secured one yet. To say he hasn't been searching for a job you would just say 'The person has not been looking for a job since he was 25.'

Cheers
PBF

CalifJim · Answer

goat#1 I think sometimes 'present perfect continuous tense' and 'present perfect tense' are the same. Am I right?

No. They are always different. Only the continuous tense has a verb in its -ing form.

goat#2
I've just seen that film you were talking about.
I've just seen that film you are talking about.
Are both ok?

Both OK. Yes.

goat#3
He's been looking for a job since he was 25.
The person has not found a job since he was 25.
Are both the same?

They are similar, but they're not exactly the same.

He's been looking ... talks about his activity during the time from when he was 25. Nothing is implied about the time before that.

.........................................[ 25 ] - - looking - - - - [ present ]

... has not found ... since ... suggests that before he was 25, this person found a job one or more times, but that the event of finding a job has not occurred again from then until now. Maybe he hasn't even looked for a job since he was 25.

... [ found ] ...... [ found ] .... [ 25 ] - - - no find - - - [ present ]

CJ

Peaceblinkfriend · Answer

Again thanks for replying Jim. Sorry goat, I got it wrong.

Cheers

Goat · Answer

Thanks very much for your precious time and help, PBF, CJ

(The diagrammatic representation is simple, clear and easy to understand)

Could you please tell me PPCT and PPT...

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