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Dan154 Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
Present perfect / present perfect continuous
Please help me sort this out.
I understand that present perfect is used to when referring to something that accured in some none-specific point in the past. For instance, "I have read that book", is to say that I am currently in the state of having read the book, as opposed to "I read that book 3 weeks ago on my vecation".
I also understand that present perfect continuous is for an action that streches on a certain period of time from past to present: "I have been reading this book for three hours now".
Now here's the problem: if the word "since" is in the sentence, that should make it present perfect continuous, but it doesn't do that necessarily.
It seems that I can say "I have been working out since I was young" but also "I have worked out since I was young". In some cases, it sounds like present perfect continuous isn't even an option, even though it should be according to the rules I've clerified before: "I have been loving chocolate since I was 3" - sounds terrible; also: "I have been having this car for two years now".
So what's the deal? Am I wrong about the rules of Present Perfect and Present Perfect continuous, or am I right about them, and there are some exceptions? If so, what exactly are they?
Thank you.
I understand that present perfect is used to when referring to something that accured in some none-specific point in the past. For instance, "I have read that book", is to say that I am currently in the state of having read the book, as opposed to "I read that book 3 weeks ago on my vecation".
I also understand that present perfect continuous is for an action that streches on a certain period of time from past to present: "I have been reading this book for three hours now".
Now here's the problem: if the word "since" is in the sentence, that should make it present perfect continuous, but it doesn't do that necessarily.
It seems that I can say "I have been working out since I was young" but also "I have worked out since I was young". In some cases, it sounds like present perfect continuous isn't even an option, even though it should be according to the rules I've clerified before: "I have been loving chocolate since I was 3" - sounds terrible; also: "I have been having this car for two years now".
So what's the deal? Am I wrong about the rules of Present Perfect and Present Perfect continuous, or am I right about them, and there are some exceptions? If so, what exactly are they?
Thank you.
Top answer
Hello, Dan. Your rules are basically right. The deal is that sometimes either verb form will work and also that some verbs (like those of feeling and 'have' when it means 'possess') do not accept progressive forms or only rarely do so.
- Hello, Dan.
- Your rules are basically right.
- The deal is that sometimes either verb form will work and also that some verbs (like those of feeling and 'have' when it means 'possess') do not accept progressive forms or only rarely do so.
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5 Answers
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Hello, Dan.
Your rules are basically right. The deal is that sometimes either verb form will work and also that some verbs (like those of feeling and 'have' when it means 'possess') do not accept progressive forms or only rarely do so.
Your rules are basically right. The deal is that sometimes either verb form will work and also that some verbs (like those of feeling and 'have' when it means 'possess') do not accept progressive forms or only rarely do so.
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Please help me with this, Mister Micawber.
I do not know when I can use it in progressive form when it means to possess. Can you give an example where have, with the meaning to possess, is used in progressive form?
I don't know whether it is accepted here.
She has been having this car since I turned 12.
I do not know when I can use it in progressive form when it means to possess. Can you give an example where have, with the meaning to possess, is used in progressive form?
I don't know whether it is accepted here.
She has been having this car since I turned 12.
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You cannot there. Here is what I just wrote: some verbs (like those of feeling and 'have' when it means 'possess') do not accept progressive forms or only rarely do so. It is not a good idea to try.
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just some tips,
have = possess = stative verb (no progressive form)
have lunch = eat lunch = dynamic verb (can have progressive form)
feel = having sense of something = stative verb
feel = explore by the sense of touch (eg; the blind man is feeling about for the switch in the dark) progressive form allowed
have = possess = stative verb (no progressive form)
have lunch = eat lunch = dynamic verb (can have progressive form)
feel = having sense of something = stative verb
feel = explore by the sense of touch (eg; the blind man is feeling about for the switch in the dark) progressive form allowed
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