staying away

1 2

Share on Facebook

New2grammar

#542999 Fri, 18 Jul 08 11:02 AM

Although the country has been peaceful for months, tourists are still staying away.

Is the above correct?
Thanks.

New2grammar

Joined on Tue, Nov 21 2006

Veteran Member (7,670)

Who wants to go sailing around the world with me?

26TMNTJG2PG

#543001 Fri, 18 Jul 08 11:15 AM

Yes.

26TMNTJG2PG

Joined on Wed, Apr 23 2008

Full Member (266)

New2grammar

#543004 Fri, 18 Jul 08 11:36 AM

Although the country has been peaceful for months, tourists have stayed away.

How about the above?

New2grammar

26TMNTJG2PG

#543071 Fri, 18 Jul 08 02:41 PM

This is also correct, the difference being for the earlier one (in present continuous tense),
the action of staying away is continuing while for this one (in present perfect tense),
such action is in a completed state.

26TMNTJG2PG

Present continuous, Present perfect, Tenses

New2grammar

#543074 Fri, 18 Jul 08 02:48 PM

I understand explaining tenses is not the easiest thing in the world. While I appreciate your attempt, it's basically the definitions of the tenses. If you don't mind, could youprovide an example where one is better than the other so I will get an idea when to use which? Please stick to the same words/expression but in a different scenario/setting. I completely understand if it's not possible. Thanks, anyway.

New2grammar

Expressions, Tenses

optilang

#543081 Fri, 18 Jul 08 03:09 PM

Although the country has been peaceful for months, tourists are still staying away.

Has been peaceful for months (until now) and tourists are continuing not to visit (not nice English but you see what I mean).

Although the country has been peaceful for months, tourists have stayed away.

Has been peaceful for months and tourists have not started to visit (as yet, until now).

optilang

Joined on Tue, May 13 2008

Poland

Senior Member (2,100)

OptiNative British English Speaker Wherever I may roam, I'm still a Londoner.

New2grammar

#543082 Fri, 18 Jul 08 03:14 PM

optilang
Has been peaceful for months (until now) and tourists are continuing not to visit (not nice English but you see what I mean).

Thanks, Optilang. But I'm struggling to see why the above is not natural. Could you explain a little more?

New2grammar

optilang

#543083 Fri, 18 Jul 08 03:20 PM

New2grammar
optilang
Has been peaceful for months (until now) and tourists are continuing not to visit (not nice English but you see what I mean).

Thanks, Optilang. But I'm struggling to see why the above is not natural. Could you explain a little more?

I meant the - continuing not to do something part of the sentence. I would usually say still not doing something.

I am continuing not to smoke = I am still not smoking.

optilang

Grammar

New2grammar

#543085 Fri, 18 Jul 08 03:27 PM

I think I understand now. Thanks, Optilang.

New2grammar

1 2

RSS Feed: ESL General English Grammar Questions