Search results for 'tag:Present perfect tag:List of verbs' matching tags 'Present perfect' and 'List of verbs'

simple vs continuous

Grodada — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 18:39:19 GMT

One question about the present perfect : where could I find the list of verbs which can be either used in the simple form or in the continuous form in the same contexts?
For example, He has been working here for 10 years and he has worked here for 10 years are both correct while He has been washing his car for two hours could not be replaced by he has washed his car for two hours (the examples were taken from grammar books).
The problem for me has always been to know which verbs could be used both ways (in the contexts with a complement introduced by for or since).

Thanks

Re: verbs not used in the present perfect simple

Mister Micawber — Wed, 21 Dec 2005 00:33:15 GMT

That sounds more reasonable, Hela-- but I have never thought about a list of verbs that may apply. I presume it is the same stative verbs that do not normally appear in any progressive form: see, prefer, hate, contain, cost, etc.

Re: I have been waiting since eight o´clock. X ?I have waited since 8 o´clock.

Clive — Wed, 07 Dec 2005 22:52:42 GMT

Hi,

I have read in the grammar by Murphy that it is possible to use live and work in the present perfect continous as well as in the present perfect simple. . . .generally speaking, I'd say it's possible to use any verb in these two tenses. Does Murphy have a whole list of verbs where you can't? . . .(I have lived here since.../I have been living here since..) One of my friends say the same rule concerns the verb wait. I havenÂ´t found this in the book by Murphy. Is it possible?: an example:1) I have been waiting since eight o clock. 2) I have waited since eight oÂ´clock. Yes, it's fine. In fact, since 'wait' usually refers to a period of time, I'd say 'continuous' is the more common form of the perfect tense with this verb.

Best wishes, Clive

Re: Go talk

CalifJim — Sat, 06 Nov 2004 02:32:17 GMT

The "GO DO SOMETHING" Family of Colloquial Expressions

There are several variants of "go do" in American English. All are used informally in conversation, and almost never in formal writing.

In the following discussion, the verb "do" stands for any verb, but the list of verbs normally used with this construction in everyday conversation is not very long.

Probably the three most used members of the "go do" family are the imperatives:

Go do it. Go and do it. Go ahead and do it.

(These are all used in a more relaxed style of speaking, so the "and" sounds like "in" or "un": "Go 'n do it.")

In all of these the "go" is used to show that the speaker is giving encouragement to the listener and/or calling the listener into action. The "go" can be a literal going or not. "go ahead" is more used when the going is not literal. Here the "go" is an encouragement to proceed without delay.

Go make me a sandwich! (A literal movement away from the speaker is probably necessary to get the task done.)

Go ahead and start writing the letters. (Not necessarily movement. "Don't wait to start writing. Proceed immediately to the task.")

[To a pet dog] Go get your leash and we'll go for a walk! Go get it, boy! Good dog! (Movement away from speaker.)

You should probably go ahead and call her as soon as you get a chance.
(Not necessarily movement.)

Go and see if the taxi has arrived yet. (Movement.)

All can be preceded by "just": Just go do it. Just go and do it. Just go ahead and do it.

The addition of "just" shows that the speaker is trivializing what is to be done in order to encourage the listener even more. The listener is encouraged not to consider the advisability of performing the action, not to worry about it, not to feel that permission is needed. The feel of these expressions is "Don't think! Act!"

More examples:

Go sit in the kitchen and I'll be there in a second.
Do you want to go (and) see a movie?
Go get a blanket for Grandma.
Go and sin no more. (Biblical)
Go Tell It on the Mountain. (Song title)
Guess I'll go eat worms. (Said when you feel that nobody likes you.)
Just go ask him; he's not going to bite you!
We're almost ready. Go set the table.
Just go ahead and park over there.
My jacket was torn to pieces. Now I'm going to have to go buy another one.

In the past ("went and did") or present perfect ("have gone and done"), the meaning changes, and the forms without "and" are not possible. Frequently, the meaning in this case, if not one of literal movement, is one of showing disbelief and disapproval -- a sense of "shouldn't have".

Susan went and told Jane about the surprise party. Why did she go and do that?
Jack just got paid yesterday, and he's already gone and spent it all.
Before the buffet was completely set up, Laura just went and helped herself to the crab salad.
When little Bobby spilled milk all over the floor, his mom said, "Now look what you've gone and done!"
Why did you go and leave us? (Not redundant. The "go" is the attitudinal element; "leave" is the element of motion.)

Re: GO DO STH

CalifJim — Mon, 16 Aug 2004 03:51:41 GMT

Short answer: Yes.

The "GO DO SOMETHING" Family of Colloquial Expressions

There are several variants of "go do" in American English. All are used informally in conversation, and almost never in formal writing.

In the following discussion, the verb "do" stands for any verb, but the list of verbs normally used with this construction in everyday conversation is not very long.

Probably the three most used members of the "go do" family are the imperatives:

Go do it. Go and do it. Go ahead and do it.

(These are all used in a more relaxed style of speaking, so the "and" sounds like "in" or "un": "Go 'n do it.")

In all of these the "go" is used to show that the speaker is giving encouragement to the listener and/or calling the listener into action. The "go" can be a literal going or not. "go ahead" is more used when the going is not literal. Here the "go" is an encouragement to proceed without delay.

Go make me a sandwich! (A literal movement away from the speaker is probably necessary to get the task done.)

Go ahead and start writing the letters. (Not necessarily movement. "Don't wait to start writing. Proceed immediately to the task.")

[To a pet dog] Go get your leash and we'll go for a walk! Go get it, boy! Good dog! (Movement away from speaker.)

You should probably go ahead and call her as soon as you get a chance.
(Not necessarily movement.)

Go and see if the taxi has arrived yet. (Movement.)

All can be preceded by "just": Just go do it. Just go and do it. Just go ahead and do it.

The addition of "just" shows that the speaker is trivializing what is to be done in order to encourage the listener even more. The listener is encouraged not to consider the advisability of performing the action, not to worry about it, not to feel that permission is needed. The feel of these expressions is "Don't think! Act!"

More examples:

Go sit in the kitchen and I'll be there in a second.
Do you want to go (and) see a movie?
Go get a blanket for Grandma.
Go and sin no more. (Biblical)
Go Tell It on the Mountain. (Song title)
Guess I'll go eat worms. (Said when you feel that nobody likes you.)
Just go ask him; he's not going to bite you!
We're almost ready. Go set the table.
Just go ahead and park over there.
My jacket was torn to pieces. Now I'm going to have to go buy another one.

In the past ("went and did") or present perfect ("have gone and done"), the meaning changes, and the forms without "and" are not possible. Frequently, the meaning in this case, if not one of literal movement, is one of showing disbelief and disapproval -- a sense of "shouldn't have".

Susan went and told Jane about the surprise party. Why did she go and do that?
Jack just got paid yesterday, and he's already gone and spent it all.
Before the buffet was completely set up, Laura just went and helped herself to the crab salad.
When little Bobby spilled milk all over the floor, his mom said, "Now look what you've gone and done!"
Why did you go and leave us? (Not redundant. The "go" is the attitudinal element; "leave" is the element of motion.)

For a similar construction, see "up" used as a verb. "She upped and left."