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Nsfs2 Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Past perfect simple vs past perfect continuous

Hi,

'I received a letter from Sam yesterday.He (had promised/had been promising) to write since last year.

I think both of the above tenses can be used with since,is that right?Does this apply to this specific example?What different meanings do they convey?If not,why?

Thanks.
  

Top answer

Only the continuous is possible there (if I take your meaning), because 'since last year' is a period of time and a promise is an instantaneous event. Compare: He had been promising to write since last year . = repeated promises from that year till the letter received.

— Mister Micawber

  • Only the continuous is possible there (if I take your meaning), because 'since last year' is a period of time and a promise is an instantaneous event.
  • Compare: He had been promising to write since last year .
  • = repeated promises from that year till the letter received.
  • He had promised since last year = one promise given at one time after that year.
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4 Answers
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Only the continuous is possible there (if I take your meaning), because 'since last year' is a period of time and a promise is an instantaneous event. Compare:

He had been promising to write since last year. = repeated promises from that year till the letter received.
He had promised since last year = one promise given at one time after that year.
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Mister MicawberOnly the continuous is possible there (if I take your meaning), because 'since last year' is a period of time and a promise is an instantaneous event. Compare:He had been promising to write since last year. = repeated promises from that year till the letter received.He had promised since last year = one promise given at one time after that year.
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Yes, that sounds normal (for a friend that doesn't communicate very much, like me).
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