will have been living??????

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Anonymous  #330780  Sun, 18 Feb 07 09:09 PM

Hi everybody,

I have a doubt, is it possible to use this future form in that sentence?

"Next year, I will have been living here for 5 years"

Thank you

  
Clive  #330789  Sun, 18 Feb 07 09:53 PM

Hi,

Yes, it's fine.

Best wishes, Clive

  
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Yoong Liat  #330859  Mon, 19 Feb 07 05:35 AM

Hi Clive

Next year, I will have been living here for 5 years.

Next year, I will have lived here for 5 years.

Is the second sentence more correct and, if it isn't, is there a difference between the sentences?

I remember reading that 'living'  is used only when it is temporary.

I'm living with my uncle. (temporary)

I live with my uncle. (permanent)

I live at 54-B, King's Road. (permanent)

Thanks in advance.

  
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Clive  #330869  Mon, 19 Feb 07 06:28 AM

Hi,

Next year, I will have been living here for 5 years.

Next year, I will have lived here for 5 years.

Is the second sentence more correct Both are OK and, if it isn't, is there a difference between the sentences? Yes

Let's consider these two simpler examples, that relate to the present rather than to the future. The principle is the same.

I have lived here for 5 years. As you know, this draws attention to a past period that has relevance to the present.

I have been living here for 5 years. Similar to the above, but stresses the duration, the length of the period, and often that the period has not been interrupted. The activity may be temporary, but not always. eg

A: Hello. I live down the street. I haven't seen you before. Did you just move into this house?

B: No, not at all, I've been living here for the past 5 years. I can't imagine why we've never met before.

I remember reading that 'living'  is used only when it is temporary. As noted above, I wouldn't say it is always or only temporary.

eg I have been teaching English for 20 years does not seem temporary.

The perfect tenses can convey quite a range of meanings, and thus are difficult to learn. Do you have a good grammar book that deals with tenses? I recommend 'Teaching Tenses', by Rosemary Aitken, published by Thomas Nelson Ltd.

Best wishes, Clive

  
Yoong Liat  #330872  Mon, 19 Feb 07 06:56 AM

Hi Clive

Many thanks for your reply.

I've not seen the book mentioned by you. If it's a new book, it hasn't reached Singapore. If it's an old book, it was not sold here. However, I've many books on English usage.

Best wishes

  
Anonymous  #331093  Mon, 19 Feb 07 07:18 PM

Hi people,

thank you for your answer. It´s been very helpful

  
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