Present Perfect and Present Continuous
Hi!
What is the difference between these two? Does number 1 mean you studied Chinese for 20 years but have stopped studying it while 2 is you commenced studying Chinese 20 years ago and are presently still studying it ? Thanks, Fulvio
1. I have studied Chinese for 20 years.
2. I have been studying Chinese for 20 years.
Top answer
There is often no significant difference in meaning between progressive and non-progressive forms of the perfect aspect with verbs that can carry within them the idea of an activity state that has duration. Without more context, both your sentences suggest that the studying has continued up to the time of speaker. You can't read anything else into them with certainty.
- There is often no significant difference in meaning between progressive and non-progressive forms of the perfect aspect with verbs that can carry within them the idea of an activity state that has duration.
- Without more context, both your sentences suggest that the studying has continued up to the time of speaker.
- You can't read anything else into them with certainty.
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There is often no significant difference in meaning between progressive and non-progressive forms of the perfect aspect with verbs that can carry within them the idea of an activity state that has duration.
Without more context, both your sentences suggest that the studying has continued up to the time of speaker. You can't read anything else into them with certainty.
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