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English 1b3 Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Which tense/aspect to use here?

If I want to say that I have led sports teams some times in the past and still do in the present, what tense should I use?

I have led/have been leading/lead various sports teams.

The present perfect continuous makes it sound too continuous, not intermittent enough.

The present perfect makes it sound like I no longer lead sports teams.

The present simple makes it sound like I have led the same sports teams my whole life.

Which to choose?

Thanks
  

Top answer

Hi, You could say: I've been leading various sport teams (for years now) - If you add "for years now" it sounds like you have a lot of experience, and it indicates that you are doing it now as well. or simply the present: I lead various sport teams. - Here, the time in the past is not really mentioned.

— Alex-93

  • Hi, You could say: I've been leading various sport teams (for years now) - If you add "for years now" it sounds like you have a lot of experience, and it indicates that you are doing it now as well.
  • or simply the present: I lead various sport teams.
  • - Here, the time in the past is not really mentioned.
  • The hearer won't know how much experience you have etc..
  • I think it depends on how you want to say that.
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2 Answers
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Hi,

You could say: I've been leading various sport teams (for years now)
-If you add "for years now" it sounds like you have a lot of experience, and it indicates that you are doing it now as well.

or simply the present: I lead various sport teams.
- Here, the time in the past is not really mentioned. The hearer won't know how much experience you have etc..
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This is what you are asking for:

I have been leading various sports teams since.. (and then write the date you led the first team, to show you do this since then...and still doing it...)

Example: I have been leading various sports teams since 1997.

You could also give more information by saying:
I have led various sports teams in the past and I am still doing it.
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