"...has been to give us..."

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	Peaceblinkfriend  #513889  Thu, 15 May 08 08:11 AM One of the greatest achievements of chemistry has been to give us an understanding of fundamental laws that describe the way matter changes.  Would the sentence sound better if it read "...has been giving us..." instead?   Thank you   PBF     Peaceblinkfriend Joined on Wed, May 9 2007 Australia Contributing Member (1,486) Nothing is impossible to a willing heart. But I finally realised that it is really impossible if you don't put your money where your mouth is.

	CalifJim  #513890  Thu, 15 May 08 08:15 AM  No.  That would make it seem as if the achievement has been doing some giving.  You need to block that interpretation.  Do you understand what I mean? CJ     CalifJim Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004 California Veteran Member (16,567) "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

	Peaceblinkfriend  #513933  Thu, 15 May 08 11:35 AM Thank you for your reply Jim but I don't really understand what you mean. Could you explain a bit more, please?   Thank you again   PBF    Peaceblinkfriend

	Marius Hancu  #513935  Thu, 15 May 08 11:49 AM   ***The achievement  has been providing/giving you with an understanding. [to be avoided      Marius Hancu Joined on Wed, Apr 26 2006 Montreal, Canada Veteran Member (11,673)

	Peaceblinkfriend  #513942  Thu, 15 May 08 12:00 PM but then what tense is 'has been to give' ? Thanks   PBF    Peaceblinkfriend
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	Marius Hancu  #513948  Thu, 15 May 08 12:19 PM  to give as any infinitive or participle or gerund is atemporal thus the tense is given by  has been, perfect present    Marius Hancu
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