ESL General English Grammar Questions

Re: staying away

New2grammar — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 03:23:52 GMT

Thank you, 26TM for the explanation.

Re: staying away

26TMNTJG2PG — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 03:21:19 GMT

Correction:

In another situation where you are required to compare tourist arrivals in a previous period with those of the present period

which has ended ~~beyond~~ before your time of presentation and you have the actual figures, you will use the later sentence to

account for the unfavourable variance.

Re: staying away

26TMNTJG2PG — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:47:08 GMT

New2grammar
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.

Tense is a form assumed by a verb to show the time in which an event occurs and the degree of completeness of such event

at the time of its occurrence. To decide on which tense is more suitable will depend on a given situation.

In a situation where you are required to compare tourist arrivals in a previous period with those of the present period which ends

beyond your time of presentation and you will have to rely on estimates, you will use the earlier sentence to account
for the

unfavourable variance.

In another situation where you are required to compare tourist arrivals in a previous period with those of the present period

which has ended beyond your time of presentation and you have the actual figures, you will use the later sentence to

account for the unfavourable variance.

Re: staying away

New2grammar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:27:21 GMT

I think I understand now. Thanks, Optilang.

Re: staying away

optilang — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:20:12 GMT

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.

Re: staying away

New2grammar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:14:48 GMT

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?

Re: staying away

optilang — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:09:42 GMT

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).

Re: staying away

New2grammar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 13:48:50 GMT

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.

Re: staying away

26TMNTJG2PG — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 13:41:56 GMT

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.

Re: staying away

New2grammar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:36:14 GMT

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

How about the above?

Re: staying away

26TMNTJG2PG — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:15:57 GMT

Yes.

staying away

New2grammar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:02:18 GMT

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

Is the above correct?
Thanks.