has been

Question

So we are very hopeful that this compound when it has been at a state where it can be manufactured,this extremely strong glue is going to provide surgeons with a totally new tool.

Hi

When it has been................>why it is in present perfect continue tense?Why it isn't it in present tense like,we are hoping that when it is at a stage where it can be manufaactured.

I can't underestand the diference....or maybe it has a meaning that i don;t underestand.........can you explain, please?

Thanks:)

Marius Hancu · Accepted Answer

Because the present perfect continuous shows the process LEADING UP TO that stage.

Behnazzz · Answer

Thanks

Clive · Answer

Hi,

So we are very hopeful that this compound when it has been at a state where it can be manufactured,this extremely strong glue is going to provide surgeons with a totally new tool.

When it has been................>why it is in present perfect continue tense?Why it isn't it in present tense like,we are hoping that when it is at a stage where it can be manufaactured. Because the tense used above is not a correct choice. As you point out, the sentence should just use Simple Present tense. I'd say, with a bit of rearranging -

. . . so we are very hopeful that this extremely strong glue is going to be a totally new tool for surgeons when it is at a state where it can be manufactured.

You might say '. . . when it reaches a state . . .'

[ Please also note that it has been is just Present Perfect of the verb 'be'. Present Perfect Continuous is the rather cumbersome and less often used it has been being. ]

Best wishes, Clive

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