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Laborious Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
Q21: using the verbs 'finish ', ' complete ', ' stop ' in progressive tenses
Hi there teachers,
Some sites say that it's odd or not natural to use verbs such as 'finish', 'complete', 'stop', and so on in progressive tenses. For example, we can't say 'I've been finishing the work for an hour' or 'She is stopping writing the letter'. Is what those sites say true, please? If 'yes', then could you please explain why it is so?
Thank you.
Some sites say that it's odd or not natural to use verbs such as 'finish', 'complete', 'stop', and so on in progressive tenses. For example, we can't say 'I've been finishing the work for an hour' or 'She is stopping writing the letter'. Is what those sites say true, please? If 'yes', then could you please explain why it is so?
Thank you.
Top answer
Normally verbs such as 'finish/stop' denote something punctual it has no duration However, they can also denote the process of coming to an end, in which case the progressive form is possible, Your first sentence works if, for example, a mother has told a child to stop what she is doing, and the child has kept responding, 'OK, Mum. Nearly there, I just need another minute'. An hour later, the mother might utter you words.
- Normally verbs such as 'finish/stop' denote something punctual it has no duration However, they can also denote the process of coming to an end, in which case the progressive form is possible, Your first sentence works if, for example, a mother has told a child to stop what she is doing, and the child has kept responding, 'OK, Mum.
- Nearly there, I just need another minute'.
- An hour later, the mother might utter you words.
- 'Finish' can also refer to the process of putting the final touches on, for example a piece of furniture that has been constructed.
- In that case, the progressive form is natural.
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1 Answers
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Normally verbs such as 'finish/stop' denote something punctual it has no duration However, they can also denote the process of coming to an end, in which case the progressive form is possible,
Your first sentence works if, for example, a mother has told a child to stop what she is doing, and the child has kept responding, 'OK, Mum. Nearly there, I just need another minute'. An hour later,
Your first sentence works if, for example, a mother has told a child to stop what she is doing, and the child has kept responding, 'OK, Mum. Nearly there, I just need another minute'. An hour later,
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