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Laborious Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
Need your help with choosing the appropriate tense, teachers
-I normally finish work at 5:00, but this week I ___________ (a. have worked, b. am working) until 6:00 to earn a bit more money.
Hi,
I have taken the example given above from an online exercise. According to the site at which the exercise is given, the correct option is b (present continuous), I'm wondering if a (present perfect) is possible as well. Can't we also use the present perfect (have worked) there, teachers, for example, in a context where the speaker is in the middle of the week, or, for example, if the week is nearly finished/complete at the time of speech?
Thank you.
Hi,
I have taken the example given above from an online exercise. According to the site at which the exercise is given, the correct option is b (present continuous), I'm wondering if a (present perfect) is possible as well. Can't we also use the present perfect (have worked) there, teachers, for example, in a context where the speaker is in the middle of the week, or, for example, if the week is nearly finished/complete at the time of speech?
Thank you.
Top answer
If the week is not yet over, I am working and I have been working are both possible. I have worked is likely only if said at/towards the end of the week.
- If the week is not yet over, I am working and I have been working are both possible.
- I have worked is likely only if said at/towards the end of the week.
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4 Answers
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If the week is not yet over, I am working and I have been working are both possible. I have worked is likely only if said at/towards the end of the week.
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As far as I know, only the second option is correct. You can use present continuous tense in the following context.
A. When something is happening at the time of speaking.
B. When you are in the middle of doing something. Like, I am studying that book. It doesn't mean that I am studying that book at the time of speaking. It means I am in the middle of studying that book and I haven't f
A. When something is happening at the time of speaking.
B. When you are in the middle of doing something. Like, I am studying that book. It doesn't mean that I am studying that book at the time of speaking. It means I am in the middle of studying that book and I haven't f
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Many thanks to both of you for your replies. However, I want to ask you one more thing, please. If I choose the present continuous (am working), is it ambiguous in meaning? Since It could mean that the situation of me working until 6:00 has already begun (the situation is continuing or in progress for a limited period of time) or it could also mean that this is a planned or arranged fut
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If you just have the sentence in isolation, it could refer to either a future or to an on-going situation.
However, in real life, the words are uttered in a known context. If uttered before work begins on Monday, then the speaker has not yet worked until six. If they are uttered on Wednesday, then s/he has already worked until six twice, and has three more late stints to come.
However, in real life, the words are uttered in a known context. If uttered before work begins on Monday, then the speaker has not yet worked until six. If they are uttered on Wednesday, then s/he has already worked until six twice, and has three more late stints to come.
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