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Mo7drafi Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
What is the difference?
Hello
Can anybody tell me what is the real difference in meaning in these sentences
For example:
1. I am working on it.
2. I have been working on it.
1. I am married since 2001.
2. I have been married since 2001.
Can we use the first one instead of the second one? I mean is the meaning will be changed?
Can anybody tell me what is the real difference in meaning in these sentences
For example:
1. I am working on it.
2. I have been working on it.
1. I am married since 2001.
2. I have been married since 2001.
Can we use the first one instead of the second one? I mean is the meaning will be changed?
Top answer
In the first example, "I am working on it" could, in a colloquial context, mean the same as "I have been working on it". However, they are two different tenses, the first implying that you are NOW working on it, the second implying that you were up to this point working on it. In the second example, it would be unusual to use "I am married since 2001" - 'since' and 'am' do not go together very well, although I couldn't say why grammatically.
- In the first example, "I am working on it" could, in a colloquial context, mean the same as "I have been working on it".
- However, they are two different tenses, the first implying that you are NOW working on it, the second implying that you were up to this point working on it.
- In the second example, it would be unusual to use "I am married since 2001" - 'since' and 'am' do not go together very well, although I couldn't say why grammatically.
- "I have been married since 2001" would be the normal expression, although everyone would understand the first.
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5 Answers
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In the first example, "I am working on it" could, in a colloquial context, mean the same as "I have been working on it". However, they are two different tenses, the first implying that you are NOW working on it, the second implying that you were up to this point working on it.
In the second example, it would be unusual to use "I am married since 2001" - 'since' and 'am' do not go togethe
In the second example, it would be unusual to use "I am married since 2001" - 'since' and 'am' do not go togethe
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Thanks,
So do you mean that "I am married since 2001" is incorrect and not used by native speakers?
So do you mean that "I am married since 2001" is incorrect and not used by native speakers?
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1. I am working on it. Now. The work is in progress.
2. I have been working on it. For some time, starting earlier.
1. I am married since 2001. Not used. Incorrect.
2. I have been married since 2001. Correct. For some time, starting earlier -- specifically, in 2001.
CJ
2. I have been working on it. For some time, starting earlier.
1. I am married since 2001. Not used. Incorrect.
2. I have been married since 2001. Correct. For some time, starting earlier -- specifically, in 2001.
CJ
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First sample:
1. I am working on it. (present progressive tense)
It implies that the activity which is the work is in progress.
2. I have been working on it. (present perfect progressive tense)
It implies that the work began in the past, has continued in the present, and may continue in the future. Usually it's used with adverb of duration like "for two hours." It emp
1. I am working on it. (present progressive tense)
It implies that the activity which is the work is in progress.
2. I have been working on it. (present perfect progressive tense)
It implies that the work began in the past, has continued in the present, and may continue in the future. Usually it's used with adverb of duration like "for two hours." It emp
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