I've had vs I've been having
What's the difference in meaning between the following 2 sentences:
-I've had a lot of problems this year
-I've been having a lot of problems this year.
Second example:
-I've been waiting for an hour
-I've waited for an hour
All four link the past to the present. Do all sentences mean the same? if not, what are the differences? The second example especially is the one that confuses me.
Top answer
The difference is subtle in these cases. The context sometimes decides which of the two in such pairs is the more appropriate. The continuous form emphasizes more than the non-continuous form that the action is continuing without stopping up to the present moment.
- The difference is subtle in these cases.
- The context sometimes decides which of the two in such pairs is the more appropriate.
- The continuous form emphasizes more than the non-continuous form that the action is continuing without stopping up to the present moment.
- The non-continuous form can make reference to a particular action that occurred within some period of time in the past and is regarded by the speaker as a life experience, and thus not as a continuing action.
- I've been having a lot of problems suggests that the problems continue to occur.
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The difference is subtle in these cases. The context sometimes decides which of the two in such pairs is the more appropriate.
The continuous form emphasizes more than the non-continuous form that the action is continuing without stopping up to the present moment.
The non-continuous form can make reference to a particular action that occurred within some period of time in the past
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