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Riglos Posted 21 years ago
Grammar
I've been writing / I've written.... any difference in politeness?
Hi people!
Today, one of my students asked me if there was any difference in the degree of politeness attached to these two sentences:
(Context: It is a working environment, and he's writing an e-mail to some colleagues who work for the same company, but in a subsidiary in another country. He has written a lot of e-mails to them but hasn't received any response yet.)
1. Since I've written several mails to you and haven't got any response, I'd like to know whether there is something going wrong. (Present Perfect Simple)
2. Since I've been writing to you all day and haven't got any response, I'd like to know... (Present Perfect Continuous)
I think it would be impolite to mention the number of mails you've written so far, e.g:: Since I've written X e-mails so far, but got no response, I'd like to know...
Anyway, I think his question was aimed at the fact that when PPS is used, the focus of our attention is on the "present result" and when PPC is used, the focus turns to the action being performed.
My question is whether the Present Perfect Simple or Continuous carry any degree of politeness
Is there a better or more polite way to say this?
Thanks a lot!
Mara.
Today, one of my students asked me if there was any difference in the degree of politeness attached to these two sentences:
(Context: It is a working environment, and he's writing an e-mail to some colleagues who work for the same company, but in a subsidiary in another country. He has written a lot of e-mails to them but hasn't received any response yet.)
1. Since I've written several mails to you and haven't got any response, I'd like to know whether there is something going wrong. (Present Perfect Simple)
2. Since I've been writing to you all day and haven't got any response, I'd like to know... (Present Perfect Continuous)
I think it would be impolite to mention the number of mails you've written so far, e.g:: Since I've written X e-mails so far, but got no response, I'd like to know...
Anyway, I think his question was aimed at the fact that when PPS is used, the focus of our attention is on the "present result" and when PPC is used, the focus turns to the action being performed.
My question is whether the Present Perfect Simple or Continuous carry any degree of politeness
Is there a better or more polite way to say this?
Thanks a lot!
Mara.
Top answer
I have written is noting what you have done SO FAR. I have been writing means you not only wrote, but you will continue writing for the REST OF the day, week, etc.... "What have you been doing?
- I have written is noting what you have done SO FAR.
- I have been writing means you not only wrote, but you will continue writing for the REST OF the day, week, etc....
- "What have you been doing?
- I have (still) been working" vs.
- "I have (already) done my laundry" The question of politeness would depend on who you are talking to.
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5 Answers
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I have written is noting what you have done SO FAR. I have been writing means you not only wrote, but you will continue writing for the REST OF the day, week, etc....
"What have you been doing? I have (still) been working" vs. "I have (already) done my laundry"
The question of politeness would depend on who you are talking to. I don't think there are any set rules. As
"What have you been doing? I have (still) been working" vs. "I have (already) done my laundry"
The question of politeness would depend on who you are talking to. I don't think there are any set rules. As
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Hi,
.... whether there is something going wrong ....
Just a small additional comment on the other part of your sentence. Better and more normal would be whether there is something wrong. (IE omit 'going')
Furthermore, in my own business experience, 'wrong' is a word that tends not to be used in this general kind o
.... whether there is something going wrong ....
Just a small additional comment on the other part of your sentence. Better and more normal would be whether there is something wrong. (IE omit 'going')
Furthermore, in my own business experience, 'wrong' is a word that tends not to be used in this general kind o
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Thanks Clive and Wwwdotcom!
Clive, I really appreciate your comment, it was really useful, but would you mind answering as well the first question? I'd very much like to know your views on this.
Thanks a lot!
Mara.
Clive, I really appreciate your comment, it was really useful, but would you mind answering as well the first question? I'd very much like to know your views on this.
Thanks a lot!
Mara.
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Hello Mara
I know there is some difference in the degree of politeness between the simple and the progressive tenses about some verbs. Examples are between <I hope that ..> and <I'm hoping that …> or between "I wonder if …> and <I'm wondering if …>. And I also learned the future progressive tense sounds more polite than the simple future tense. Examples are "When will
I know there is some difference in the degree of politeness between the simple and the progressive tenses about some verbs. Examples are between <I hope that ..> and <I'm hoping that …> or between "I wonder if …> and <I'm wondering if …>. And I also learned the future progressive tense sounds more polite than the simple future tense. Examples are "When will
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Hi Mara,
I don't disagree with what the others have written already.
1. Since I've written several emails to you and haven't got any response, I'd like to know whether there is something going wrong. (Present Perfect Simple)
2. Since I've been writing to you all day and haven't got any respo
I don't disagree with what the others have written already.
1. Since I've written several emails to you and haven't got any response, I'd like to know whether there is something going wrong. (Present Perfect Simple)
2. Since I've been writing to you all day and haven't got any respo
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