Search results for 'tag:Tenses tag:Perfect progressive' matching tags 'Tenses' and 'Perfect progressive'

Re: "I've been knowing him for years"?

Anonymous — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:31:45 GMT

One of explanations could be a confusion between the "progressive" tenses. For example, the verb "to know" indeed can not be used in ONE of the progressive tenses, known also as "Continuous", ex.: "I'm knowing it". But it looks pretty OK in another progressive tense - Perfect Progressive (Perfect Continuous), ex.: "I've been knowing it".

Actually, the "Continuous" tense has nothing to do with continuation. It refers to a moment and should rather have been called "Momentary" in order to avoid confusions like the above one.

Grammar doubts, please!

Anonymous — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:50:52 GMT

Hi, there!

Here are my doubts. Could you help me, please?

- He (write) a composition since lunch time. In this kind of sentence I could use e.g. the * Present Perfect Progressive:

- He has been writting a composition since lunch time. In this case since is a starting point and the verb tense shows an action that started in the past and continues up to the present moment, isn't it?

   But I think I could also use the Present Perfect Simple e.g.: "He has written a composition since lunch time." If so, I believe that there is not a difference between these two verb tenses, but only that the * first reinforces the continuity of the action up to the present moment, isn't it?

And in: "It (rain) all morning." I believe that I can say:

"It has rained all morning" (Present Perfect Simple here gives an idea that the action finished already because it's afternoon now, for example);

           or

"It has been raining all morning." (Present Perfect Progressive here if we want to emphasize that it started raining in the morning and it is still raining = We are still in the morning).

Thanks for the help (I hope my thought be right),

  Sakamura

Re: I've been "wanting" to visit Paris all my life.

Avangi — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 02:52:43 GMT

Hi Viceidol,

Thus far we have examples of three tenses: simple present, present progressive, and present perfect progressive. As Philip says, the present progressive seems awkward with "I am wanting." I don't know if it's considered incorrect.

The other two seem fine, correct, and natural. I want to go to Europe. (simple present) I've been wanting to go to Europe. (present perfect progressive)

I expect I might use "I am wanting" (I'm wanting) in certain cases similar to "I'm thinking." I'm thinking I might run out of gas. I'm thinking I shouldn't be spending so much time on my homework.

When I switch from a standard (stick) shift to an automatic transmission, I'm wanting to push in the clutch when I come to a full stop. I'm wanting to ask her for a divorce, but I keep thinking about the children. Somehow, these seem natural to me.

I am wanting has the same feel as I keep wanting.

Best wishes, - A.

Edit. Hi Yankee, I got interrupted while I was writing this, and didn't see your post.

Re: Now it's the real future perfect progressive tense question

Anonymous — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 01:59:45 GMT

I will have been writing to my friend in Uganda for a year be the end of this May.

(actually i'm doing test questions about future perfect proressive tense
Noralyn Manucat

Re: gave me recently

Avangi — Sun, 25 May 2008 17:47:53 GMT

As I read the rule, it says, "for a specific time, use past tense." The doctor may have recently changed your prescreption, and "authorized" the new medicine, but that act of "giving" you the medicine took place at a specific time.

On the other hand, the medicine worked it's magic over a period of time. That period was also recent.

- A.

Re: Is there a reason behind that?

Avangi — Fri, 23 May 2008 18:00:00 GMT

Hi Ayman, just wingin' it on this one. WELCOME TO THE FORUMS ! !

It looks to me that transforming the present perfect progressive from active voice to passive voice comes out with the same result as doing it to the present perfect. That is, the progressive aspect of it seems to get lost in the process.

He has been stealing light bulbs from the company for years. (present perfect progressive - active voice)

Light bulbs have been stolen by him from the company for years. (passive transformation)

He has stolen light bulbs from the company for years. (present perfect - active voice)

Light bulbs have been stolen by him from the company for years. (passive transformation) Same thing. I don't see any way to preserve the "progressive" nature of the tense.

Best wishes, - A.

P.S. Was that gentle enough? I just hope I'm right!

Is there a reason behind that?

emmoo10 — Fri, 23 May 2008 17:11:37 GMT

From time to time I hear teachers of english say that " There is no need to use the passive form of the Perfect Progressive Tenses" Sometimes I wanted to know why but nobody answered me. will you gently answer me if there is a logical reason.

thanks in advance

Ayman

Re: a Few grammar questions

CalifJim — Sat, 17 May 2008 00:12:40 GMT

Anonymous
Explain why the verb âTo Beâ is not a non-progressive verb?

It can be used in progressive tenses -- although this is not common. (The baby is being difficult this morning.)

Anonymous
I know the simple present never talks about the present ...

You have false knowledge. I wonder what makes you think this.

Anonymous
Why does the present tense not exist in English?

Again, you are mistaken. The present tense exists in English. Where are you getting all these crazy ideas?

Anonymous
What are perpendicular and parallel actions?

I've never heard of this distinction.

Anonymous
What is the difference between the Present Perfect and the Present Perfect Progressive?

Present Perfect is formed with the auxiliary have and the past participle of some verb: have seen, has done, have lived. Present Perfect Progressive is formed with the auxiliaries have and been and the present participle of some verb: have been seeing, has been doing, has been living.

a Few grammar questions

Anonymous — Fri, 16 May 2008 23:47:12 GMT

Hi everyone,

I have a few grammar questions and I don't know how to answer them:

Explain why the verb âTo Beâ is not a non-progressive verb?

I know the simple present never talks about the present but what can be an exception to this rule?

Why does the present tense not exist in English?

What are perpendicular and parallel actions?

and

What is the difference between the Present Perfect and the Present Perfect Progressive?

Thank you in advance if you take the time to help me :)

Re: Now it's the real future perfect progressive tense question

CalifJim — Fri, 16 May 2008 07:19:05 GMT

Congratulations! You found the real future perfect progressive! LOL.

They all sound OK, yes. Your first one is best, in my opinion.