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ESL forum >
Message board > grammar help
grammar help
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ameliarator
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grammar help
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Hi wonderful teachers,� I �m normally not so bad with grammar, but this one has me stumped. �
Why do we say, "How long have you been here?" �to a person who continues to be here (in this case the question refers to living in the US) Shouldn �t be be using the present perfect progressive instead of the present perfect simple?
I guess it would be awkward to say, "How long have you been being here?" but is that the reason? �
Is it just an exception to the rule? �Are there other times when we can use the present perfect simple for actions that continue in the present? |
23 Mar 2009
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wolfy
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Maybe yes,
But to someone living there I would ask� "How long have you lived here?" �I suppose I could say� "How long have you been living here?"
You can use the present perfect simple for actions in the past that continue being important today.
We use the present perfect continuous when we need to use (or want to use) to be + verb:
I have gone to the cinema every weekend for the last two months. I have been going to the cinema every weekend for the last two months.
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23 Mar 2009
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ameliarator
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Thanks Silke! �That is very true. �
The problem is that while we can say that, typically people don �t. �(This came up because my students are always being asked, "How long have you been here?") �Maybe it �s just a case of people speaking incorrectly. �:o ! |
23 Mar 2009
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ameliarator
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Thanks Wolfy! So do you think there is a difference in meaning/usage between, "I have gone to the cinema every day" and "I have been going to the cinema every day? |
23 Mar 2009
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macomabi
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The verb to be is a non continuous verb. That �s why you should ask how long have you been living here.
Best regards.
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23 Mar 2009
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Mishuna
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HI you all, ameliarator, if you use Present Perfect continuous in that question you are emphasizing in duration...
I �d go for ladybird option "How long have you been LIVING here?
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23 Mar 2009
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wolfy
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My reference to be + verb was just for the example not general. :)
Is there a different meaning with: 1) "I have gone to the cinema every day"� 2) "I have been going to the cinema every day?
Quick answer = NO Long answer in 1) maybe the future is a little more uncertain than 2)� But I �m be clutching at straws to see a difference.
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23 Mar 2009
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