Simple present vs. present perfect

[Torsten]

Hi, could you please do me a favour and take a look at the sentence below. I think the simple present should be replaced with a present perfect construction. What's your take on this?

There is a burning desire in my heart to build my own business for more than 20 years.

Wouldn't it be better to say

For more than 20 years I have wanted to start my own business?

TOEIC listening, photographs: Fast food in South America

[Yankee]

Hi Torsten

That sentence would be a classic case for using the present perfect.

You could change the tense in the first sentence and leave the burning heart in it: :D

For more than 20 years, there has been a burning desire in my heart to build my own business.

Using the verb want, I also wouldn't be suprised to hear a native speaker use the continuous form:

I have been wanting to start my own business for more than 20 years.

Amy
_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Tom]

Quote:

There is a burning desire in my heart to build my own business for more than 20 years

Thanks, Amy

I would like to know if you consider the sentence given above a grammatical mistake?

Tom

[Yankee]

Hey, Tom. :D

Good question. :D Actually, the sentence is grammatically correct -- if what the person is trying to say is he/she wants to spend 20+ years building the company.

Amy
_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Conchita]

[Yankee]

Hi Conchita

Yes, I had that same sneaking suspicion. ;) :lol:

Amy
_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Torsten]

Hi Amy and Conchita,

I like the sentence with the burning heart in it very much and it's does sound businesslike. You do need a burning desire if you want to get a business off the ground.

TOEIC listening, photographs: After a car accident