|
|
 #17 (permalink) Fri Jul 28, 2006 12:43 pm Use of the word since |
|
|
You're right, Tamara, about the use of a continuous tense after 'ever since'. This expression means 'from that time onwards', 'continually since that time' and gives the idea of something happening gradually.
Now, as to Baraa's second example, I'd put it like this:
Ever since he bought a car, he hasn't been able to see us (can/could/been able to).
PS: Oops, I hadn't seen your post, Amy. |
|
Conchita
Language Coach
Joined: 26 Dec 2005
Posts: 2826
Location: Madrid, Spain
|
|
| #18 (permalink) Fri Jul 28, 2006 19:45 pm Use of the word since |
|
|
Amy, Conchita, thank you for the explanation and for the examples.
| Quote: |
| present perfect continuous in the second half of the sentence. |
But could you give an example with ‘has been being’ and ‘hasn’t been being’ (??)
(that would be 'the pure' form :) of present perfect continuous for 'to be' – at least, in my understanding of the form.)
?
_________________
It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water… |
|
Tamara
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 25 May 2006
Posts: 1577
Location: UK
|
 |
| #19 (permalink) Fri Jul 28, 2006 21:23 pm Use of the word since |
|
|
| Quote: |
| Putting the word "Ever" in front of "since", makes it more likely that you will need the present perfect continuous in the second half of the sentence. |
Hi Tamara :D
Some verbs aren't used very often in any continuous tense and "be (able to)" is one of them. That's one of the reasons why I wrote "more likely" and not "always". 8) Sometimes the present perfect simple is better / necessary.
For example, you would never say "He has been being rich ever since he won the lottery." :shock: Instead you would say "He has been rich ever since he won the lottery."
Taking Baraa's car sentence as an example, that sentence is better with present perfect simple in the second half --- no matter whether you begin the sentence with "since" or "ever since" --- because "be able to" is something that you normally would not use in any continuous tense:
Ever since he bought a car, he hasn't been able to visit us.
If you want to use be as a continuous tense ("is being", "has been being", etc.), you should have an especially good reason for doing it. Did you have something specific in mind? :lol:
Amy
_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln |
|
Yankee
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 16 Apr 2006
Posts: 8316
Location: USA
|
|
| #20 (permalink) Fri Jul 28, 2006 21:44 pm Use of the word since |
|
|
Amy, Conchita and Tamara: Thank you very much for all these explanations. I really appreciate it and it was so useful.
What I meant by my second sentence; Ever since he bought a car, he hasn't been able to see us; is that I implied he became proud because he has got a car therefore he broke up with us and didn't like to visit or see us any more because we are not from his level of richness.
Best Regards
Baraa |
|
Bara
You can meet me at english-test.net
Joined: 21 Jul 2004
Posts: 60
|
|
| #21 (permalink) Fri Jul 28, 2006 21:46 pm Has been being |
|
|
Hi Amy :)
Sorry for my negligent quoting of your saying.
'Ever since I've met the guru, I have been being in an enlightened mind.' :D
Right? :)
P.S.
| Quote: |
| If you want to use be as a continuous tense ("is being", "has been being", etc.)... |
Just in case (to distinguish Active-Passive) – could you say, which one from the next two examples for Passive form
‘The country has been being bombed since last week.’
‘The country is being bombed since last week.’
sounds better? (without taking into account it’s content :( )
Tamara
_________________
It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water… |
|
Tamara
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 25 May 2006
Posts: 1577
Location: UK
|
|
| #22 (permalink) Fri Jul 28, 2006 22:27 pm Has been being |
|
|
| Tamara wrote: |
'Ever since I've met the guru, I have been being in an enlightened mind.' :D
Right? :)
:cry: I would say "Ever since I met the guru, I have been in an enlightened mind." Or I might say "Ever since I met the guru, I have been being enlightened on a regular basis." :lol:
P.S.
| Quote: |
| If you want to use be as a continuous tense ("is being", "has been being", etc.)... |
Just in case (to distinguish Active-Passive) – could you say, which one from the next two examples for Passive form
‘The country has been being bombed since last week.’
‘The country is being bombed now.’ ("since last week" is better used with present perfect)
sounds better? (without taking into account it’s content :( ) |
Hi Tamara
Yes, I'd say you'd probably find be in a continuous form most often in passive sentences.
Amy
_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln |
|
Yankee
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 16 Apr 2006
Posts: 8316
Location: USA
|
|
| #23 (permalink) Sat Jul 29, 2006 11:47 am I have been being enlightened on a regular basis. Ever since |
|
|
Hi Amy
Thank you for the explanation and correcting my sentence. Quite clear (quite clear. ;) ).
:) She has enlightened my crude mind :). I have my mind enlightened. :)
(Ermm… I have been having my mind enlightened, ever since... :D (it's a joke only)).
Thanks!
Tamara
_________________
It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water… |
|
Tamara
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 25 May 2006
Posts: 1577
Location: UK
|
|
| #24 (permalink) Sat Jul 29, 2006 13:38 pm Ummmm... |
|
|
By the way, on the other side of the pond you will not hear "ermm" or even "emm" but rather "um". :lol:
Amy
_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln |
|
Yankee
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 16 Apr 2006
Posts: 8316
Location: USA
|
|
| #25 (permalink) Sat Jul 29, 2006 14:16 pm Ummmm... |
|
|
| Yankee wrote: |
By the way, on the other side of the pond you will not hear "ermm" or even "emm" but rather "um". :lol:
Amy |
It?s impressive! :wink: One always can learn anything about foreign culture. :lol:
Michael
_________________
"Ho ho!" said the clown |
|
Foah
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 20 Apr 2006
Posts: 1358
Location: next to Dortmund , Europe
|
|
|
| How can I help you? vs. What can I do for you? | Phrasal verb "back off" |
