defining the difference between simple progressive and perfect progressive

Question

Would it be right to sum this whole thing up by defining that the difference between the 2 mentioned tenses is  simple progressive has 'no' definite beginning, and is 'ongoing' , while the perfect progressive 'has' that definite beginning and is 'ongoing'  as well?

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

I don't think you can 'sum the whole thing up' so neatly, though you are generally right. Perfect progressive needn't be ongoing, though it may be likely. He has been eating does not necessarily mean that he has not finished doing so.

CalifJim · Answer

Virginiajean simple progressive

I've never heard of this tense. Do you mean simple past progressive? Or maybe present progressive?

CJ

Virginiajean · Answer

CJ, I mainly referred to the progressive aspect of a verb, could be in the past, present, future-- as in 'is eating' compared to 'has been eating'; 'was eating' compared to 'had been eating'.. etc..

Virginiajean · Answer

I know.. it does kinda sound a bit lazy saying 'sum the whole thing up'. It is just that, with so many rules in grammars/writing, sometimes, I'd like to make a whole summary (like a chart or a map) that 'simply' yet regard-fully defines, differentiate one rule from another. I confess, I've been terrible in this, writing.

Thanks Mister Micawber.

CalifJim · Answer

VirginiajeanI mainly referred to the progressive aspect of a verb, could be in the past, present, future-- as in 'is eating' compared to 'has been eating'; 'was eating' compared to 'had been eating'.. etc..

Progressive aspect indicates action in progress. The action in progress is happening generally in the past, present, or future depending on the tense itself, and over an indefinite period of time centered on the past, present, or future. It's pretty simple, really.

I am eating. Action in progress at the moment of speaking.
I was eating. Action in progress at a moment in the past.
I will be eating. Action in progress at a moment in the future.

If you add perfect aspect, the action in progress starts at some indefinite time before the past, present, or future reference point (depending on the tense) and continues up to the reference time, which can be a reference point in the past, the present moment, or a reference point in the future.

I have been eating. Action that started earlier continuing to the moment of speaking.
I had been eating. Action that started before a moment in the past and continued to that moment.
I will have been eating. Action that will start before a moment in the future and continue to that moment.

If you add a since-clause or a for-clause, you establish another reference point to indicate when the action in progress started.

I have been eating [ since 2 o'clock / for an hour ].
I had been eating [ since 2 o'clock / for an hour ].
I will have been eating [since 2 o'clock / for an hour ].

CJ

Virginiajean · Answer

CJ, I appreciate your very helpful response. Thanks a lot for taking the time.

defining the difference between simple progressive and perfect progressive

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