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Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Present perfect negative

Hello, could you please tell me which of the following sentences are correct?

I have not slept for two days. or I have not been sleeping for two days.

I have not eaten for two days. or I have not been eating for two days.
  

Top answer

Anonymous I have not slept for two days. or I have not been sleeping for two days. I have not eaten for two days.

— Avangi

  • Anonymous I have not slept for two days.
  • or I have not been sleeping for two days.
  • I have not eaten for two days.
  • or I have not been eating for two days.
  • They're both correct, but the meanings are different.
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3 Answers
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AnonymousI have not slept for two days. or I have not been sleeping for two days.
I have not eaten for two days. or I have not been eating for two days.
They're both correct, but the meanings are different.

I have not slept for two days indirectly tells us the last time you slept.

It really gives the period of time, but the
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I agree with Avangi. These contrasts are perhaps a little different from the usual contrasts between the continuous and non-continuous forms. When you have verbs that indicate the necessities of life (and eating and sleeping are the main ones), the negative non-continuous form simply states the fact and gives the length of time the situation has been continuing.

I haven't slept/eaten
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