Tuesday, September 13, 2016

(In)completeness for perfect / perfect continuous tenses


I'm studying tenses and the Perfect and Perfect Progressive tenses are causing me the most trouble. There is one particular thing I find the most confusing -- the implication of (in)completeness of the action.


The grammar sources say that sometimes the statement implies that the action is complete, but sometimes that it still continues, or is uncertain (see examples below). And I can't find a method to nail it down in any case. I would appreciate if you give me some pointers; what should I look for or be aware of? I really want to pull it all together.


Some examples:




Perfect:


I have lived here for 2 years. (I continue to live here)


We have eaten breakfast together every morning since our honeymoon. (We continue to eat breakfast together)


but...


I have had lunch. (I don't continue having lunch)


I have read the book. (I don't continue reading it)







Perfect Progressive:


We have been going to Italy for holiday for years. (We continue going to Italy for holiday)


Every morning they meet in the same cafe. They have been going there for years. (They continue going there)


but...


I'm exhausted. I have been painting the ceiling. (I'm not painting it now, or maybe uncertain)


I had been working on my novel when she entered the room to talk to me. (this implies that I stopped working when she came in)





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