Present perfect/continuous

Question

I have had this car for 10 years now. - Do native speakers think about the future when someone utters this sentence? Does this mean that I still have the car?

I've been trying to do it. - Does this mean that the trying is still in process?

Thanks.

Rover_KE · Accepted Answer

whatchadoinI have had this car for 10 years now. - Do native speakers think about the future when someone utters this sentence? No. It implies nothing about the future.

Does this mean that I still have the car? Yes.

I've been trying to do it. - Does this mean that the trying is still in process? Yes, but I'm close to giving up.

Whatchadoin · Answer

Rover_KE No. It implies nothing about the future.

Then why do they think that I still have a car?

Rover_KE · Answer

You would only say it if the car was right there in your presence when you say it.

Whatchadoin · Answer

I'm changing as a person.
I've been changing as a person.

Which one is better if the changing is still in process?

Anonymous · Answer

The second one is better. The first one carries the meaning that the period is shorter whereas the second one indicates a longer period of time.

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Grammarfreak · Answer

whatchadoin,
I have followed your posts and occasionally answered some of them. In having done so, I couldn't help but noticed that the tone and the construction of most of your sentences indeed have that peculiar and odd sound to the ear. I am not sure if this is due to your lack of real understanding of how natural English is used in a real English environment, or you are trying too hard wanting to sound like a "native", but by the way you tried to manipulated the words, I can comfortably say that your grasp on the language is still not yet fundamentally strong, and as an observer, I suggest that you don't try to analyze until you develop a strong grasp on the language. By all means, a learner should asks questions and use the answers to improve his skills in grammar, construction, and how to use them effectively and naturally. Now with the "change " question,
you are asking which is of your example sentences is better. Because there was no further context, I can only say, both are grammatical, and the use of "change" in this perfect progressive construction is correct because " change" infers to the development of one's personality or character over the years. One should note, If we use "change" in the same construction with a different context, it may sound pretty odd. i.e. " I have been changing the tires on my car ". The bottom line is this, your sentences seem reasonably grammatical, however, often lacks the semantics and natural fluency. I hope this brutal, yet honest criticism can help your effort.

Present perfect/continuous

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