0
Vsuresh Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

had been doing?

Hi
Please tell me if both are OK here.

Just after some time the son returned home from school....

Mother: Have your snacks and start your homework.

Son: Oh..no! I have/ had been doing it at school. I want to play today.
  

Top answer

"had" doesn't fit. "have" is correct English but implies that the son has been doing his homework at school. This is an unexpected meaning because homework is designed to be done at home.

— GPY

  • "had" doesn't fit.
  • "have" is correct English but implies that the son has been doing his homework at school.
  • This is an unexpected meaning because homework is designed to be done at home.
  • Is it what you intend?
  • In conversation the contraction "I've" would normally be used.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

4 Answers
0
"had" doesn't fit.

"have" is correct English but implies that the son has been doing his homework at school. This is an unexpected meaning because homework is designed to be done at home. Is it what you intend?

In conversation the contraction "I've" would normally be used.
0
0
Thank you, GPY.
GPYThis is an unexpected meaning because homework is designed to be done at home. Is it what you intend?
You are right, but in our place children try to complete the homework when have free periods.
0
0
vsureshHiPlease tell me if both are OK here.Just after some time the son returned home from school....Mother: Have your snacks and start your homework. Son: Oh..no! I have/ had been doing it at school. I want to play today.
It's spontaneous, so the auxiliary "have" is OK. With "had" it might have been like that:

Mother: The light is out. Did you do
0
0
vsureshYou are right, but in our place children try to complete the homework when have free periods.
Oh, OK, I see...
0

Related Questions