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 #2 (permalink) Wed Nov 11, 2009 19:53 pm what's the difference between present continuous and past one? |
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we are living in the country for 20 years (Present Continuous) incorrect
we have been living in the country for 20 years (Present Perfect Continuous) correct
Use the Present Continuous with Normal Verbs to express the idea that something is happening now, at this very moment. It can also be used to show that something is not happening now.
Examples:
You are learning English now.
You are not swimming now.
Are you sleeping?
I am sitting.
I am not standing.
Is he sitting or standing?
They are reading their books.
They are not watching television.
What are you doing?
Why aren't you doing your homework?
http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/presentcontinuous.html
We use the Present Perfect Continuous to show that something started in the past and has continued up until now. "For five minutes," "for two weeks," and "since Tuesday" are all durations which can be used with the Present Perfect Continuous.
Examples:
They have been talking for the last hour.
She has been working at that company for three years.
What have you been doing for the last 30 minutes?
James has been teaching at the university since June.
We have been waiting here for over two hours!
Why has Nancy not been taking her medicine for the last three days?
http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/presentperfectcontinuous.html
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 Milanya
I'm here quite often ;-)
Joined: 29 Dec 2008
Posts: 923
Location: Texas, USA (at present)
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| #3 (permalink) Wed Nov 11, 2009 20:21 pm what's the difference between present continuous and past one? |
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many thanks,Milanya, the first example is from a grammer book, so I am totally confused...
another examples are:
He is going to work by bus since his car broke down.
He is working with us since the 1970s
I'am afraind I'am staying here too long, don't you think?
you know I have a disease that is tormenting me for nine years?
All of them are correct or incorrect, or all of them should be cheaged to past one? |
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Snoowoo
I'm new here and I like it ;-)
Joined: 18 Feb 2009
Posts: 18
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| #4 (permalink) Wed Nov 11, 2009 21:51 pm what's the difference between present continuous and past one? |
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| Snoowoo wrote: |
| many thanks,Milanya, the first example is from a grammar book, so I am totally confused... |
I do not know this book ans I do not trust it either.
According to my sources, the Present Prefect Continuous tense has to be used in each case:
He has been going to work by bus since his car broke down.
He has been working with us since the 1970s.
I'am afraind I have been staying here too long, don't you think?
You know I have a disease that has been tormenting me for nine years?
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con·text - The part of a text or statement that surrounds a particular word or passage and determines its meaning. |
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Milanya
I'm here quite often ;-)
Joined: 29 Dec 2008
Posts: 923
Location: Texas, USA (at present)
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| How to say that a conclusion was taken from something? | online adverstising |
