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Debpriya De Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Having to

1. I have to keep an eye on him.
2. I am having to keep an eye on him.
Is the "have" in the first sentence a stative verb ?
Is the second sentence correct if "have" is a stative verb ?
Is there any difference in meaning between the two sentences ?
  

Top answer

-- It's correct; unlike auxiliaries, it can appear in progressive aspect. ). This is a common function of progressive, particularly when you see it in a usually stative verb.

— Mister Micawber

  • -- It's correct; unlike auxiliaries, it can appear in progressive aspect.
  • ).
  • This is a common function of progressive, particularly when you see it in a usually stative verb.
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1 Answers
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Is the "have" in the first sentence a stative verb ?-- No, it's a semi-auxiliary

Is the second sentence correct if "have" is a stative verb ?-- It's correct; unlike auxiliaries, it can appear in progressive aspect.

Is there any difference in meaning between the two sentences ?-- #2 reveals some sort of closer interest/commitment/emotion by the speaker
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