0
Andrei Posted 21 years ago
Grammar
Have been dying or are dying
1 The Afghan children have been dying due to extreme cold weather conditions.
2 The Afghan children are dying due to extreme cold weather conditions.
I heard the first sentence on BBC news. What is the difference betwen the first sentence and the second sentence?
Nowadays winter is harsh in Afghanistan. So the second sentence is the ideal one. I would like to get some information on this direct from the Horse's Mouth.
Let us look at another example.
3 Human beings have been eating pototoes for thousands of years.
4 Human beings are eating potatoes for thousands of years.
Both third and fourth sentences are grammaticlly correct. Here what I want to tell you the traditions of eating potatoes by Homosapiens. So I would write the third sentence.
2 The Afghan children are dying due to extreme cold weather conditions.
I heard the first sentence on BBC news. What is the difference betwen the first sentence and the second sentence?
Nowadays winter is harsh in Afghanistan. So the second sentence is the ideal one. I would like to get some information on this direct from the Horse's Mouth.
Let us look at another example.
3 Human beings have been eating pototoes for thousands of years.
4 Human beings are eating potatoes for thousands of years.
Both third and fourth sentences are grammaticlly correct. Here what I want to tell you the traditions of eating potatoes by Homosapiens. So I would write the third sentence.
Top answer
Not quite. Have been means 'up to this point in time' are means right at this moment. ) 3.
- Not quite.
- Have been means 'up to this point in time' are means right at this moment.
- ) 3.
- People have been eating potatoes for thousands of years - ok, potato eating has a long history.
- 4.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
1 Answers
0
Not quite.
Have been means 'up to this point in time'
are means right at this moment.
Children have been dying - possibly they are still dying, or possibly something has been done about it - 'Children have been dying due to extreme weather conditions but thanks to this new building many lives have been saved...' (nice if true, eh, I must admit I feel a bit uncomfort
Have been means 'up to this point in time'
are means right at this moment.
Children have been dying - possibly they are still dying, or possibly something has been done about it - 'Children have been dying due to extreme weather conditions but thanks to this new building many lives have been saved...' (nice if true, eh, I must admit I feel a bit uncomfort
0
Related Questions