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Klavier Posted 21 years ago
Grammar
perfect or continuous
Hello.
I wonder if the continuous form is appropiate in this sentence or should I use the present perfect:
We have not been smoking since 9.00.
We have not smoked since 9.00.
I wonder if the continuous form is appropiate in this sentence or should I use the present perfect:
We have not been smoking since 9.00.
We have not smoked since 9.00.
Top answer
I much prefer the latter, because you are bragging of a withheld act; if it were in the affirmative, I would choose the former.
- I much prefer the latter, because you are bragging of a withheld act; if it were in the affirmative, I would choose the former.
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2 Answers
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I much prefer the latter, because you are bragging of a withheld act; if it were in the affirmative, I would choose the former.
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Yes. I agree with Mr. Micawber, but let me add something.
With the first version (continuous), there is a risk that it is the "since" clause that is being negated, so that a possible interpretation is as shown below.
We have not been smoking since 9:00. We've been smoking since 7:30!!
To my ear the second version (non-continuous) is less susceptible to such a misin
With the first version (continuous), there is a risk that it is the "since" clause that is being negated, so that a possible interpretation is as shown below.
We have not been smoking since 9:00. We've been smoking since 7:30!!
To my ear the second version (non-continuous) is less susceptible to such a misin
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