present perfect or present perfect progressive

Question

Hello teacherShall I sayI have not slept well for 3 days.I have not been sleeping well  for 3 days.I think the first is better meaning  how much time has past since the last time the action took placeSame problem with these sentencesI have not worked for 3 days now cause I am ill.I have not been working for 3 days cause I am ill.THANKS for your answer

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

because

Anonymous · Answer

Hello teacher

Would you mind answering to my question and could you let me know the difference of meaning in these sentences

I have not slept well for 3 days. means I am sleeping well now or I need to sleep well
I have not been sleeping well for 3 days. means I still do not sleep well

I have not worked for 3 days because I'm ill.
I have not been working for 3 days because I'm ill.
I think the second one is better because I'm still ill.

Please do answer

Laborious · Answer

Hi anon,

I think, both present perfect and present perfect progressive are conveying the same idea or same meaning in your examples.

- I haven't slept well for 3 days. (means 'you stopped sleeping well three days ago and you are still not sleeping well'.)

- I haven't (have not) been sleeping well for 3 days. (means the same as above)

[Note that we can use both present perfect simple and present perfect progressive to state that something started in the past and is still continuing or in progress. When we are using present perfect simple with for + an amount/a period of time (as in your example 'for 3 days'), we can use it to show an on-going or progressive nature of an action or a situation.]

- I have not worked for 3 days because I'm ill. (means 'it has been three days since you stopped working and you're still not working and this is because you are (still) ill'.)

- I have not been working for 3 days because I'm ill. (means the same as above.)

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks for answering laborious

So, for you there is no difference, but in an exercise , the sentence was "Paul is very tired , he

very well for days I chose the present perfect progressive and the answer was present perfect. Why, could you explain me?

thanks

present perfect or present perfect progressive

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