Using the correct tense to establish a past context












3














Given the following sentence:




Vivian _____________ computer lessons for very long so she wasn't sure how to use the Internet.




I put hadn't had in missing place but the answer was hadn't been having. Why is it so?










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  • It is advisable to wait at least a day or so before accepting an answer. Please read this post for more information.
    – userr2684291
    Dec 31 '18 at 11:34










  • @userr2684291 okay
    – user3132457
    Dec 31 '18 at 14:06
















3














Given the following sentence:




Vivian _____________ computer lessons for very long so she wasn't sure how to use the Internet.




I put hadn't had in missing place but the answer was hadn't been having. Why is it so?










share|improve this question









New contributor




user3132457 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.




















  • It is advisable to wait at least a day or so before accepting an answer. Please read this post for more information.
    – userr2684291
    Dec 31 '18 at 11:34










  • @userr2684291 okay
    – user3132457
    Dec 31 '18 at 14:06














3












3








3







Given the following sentence:




Vivian _____________ computer lessons for very long so she wasn't sure how to use the Internet.




I put hadn't had in missing place but the answer was hadn't been having. Why is it so?










share|improve this question









New contributor




user3132457 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











Given the following sentence:




Vivian _____________ computer lessons for very long so she wasn't sure how to use the Internet.




I put hadn't had in missing place but the answer was hadn't been having. Why is it so?







past-perfect past-perfect-continuous






share|improve this question









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user3132457 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











share|improve this question









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Check out our Code of Conduct.









share|improve this question




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edited Dec 31 '18 at 11:04









userr2684291

2,59621531




2,59621531






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asked Dec 31 '18 at 10:43









user3132457

182




182




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user3132457 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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New contributor





user3132457 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






user3132457 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.












  • It is advisable to wait at least a day or so before accepting an answer. Please read this post for more information.
    – userr2684291
    Dec 31 '18 at 11:34










  • @userr2684291 okay
    – user3132457
    Dec 31 '18 at 14:06


















  • It is advisable to wait at least a day or so before accepting an answer. Please read this post for more information.
    – userr2684291
    Dec 31 '18 at 11:34










  • @userr2684291 okay
    – user3132457
    Dec 31 '18 at 14:06
















It is advisable to wait at least a day or so before accepting an answer. Please read this post for more information.
– userr2684291
Dec 31 '18 at 11:34




It is advisable to wait at least a day or so before accepting an answer. Please read this post for more information.
– userr2684291
Dec 31 '18 at 11:34












@userr2684291 okay
– user3132457
Dec 31 '18 at 14:06




@userr2684291 okay
– user3132457
Dec 31 '18 at 14:06










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes


















2














It is often the case that the choice of whether to use a continuous form is a stylistic choice, depending on how the speaker (or writer) wishes to represent the temporal relationships involved.



If you were just talking about Vivian's experience as a bald fact, you could equally say "Vivian had had computer lessons" or "Vivian had been having computer lessons". These would both be completely grammatical, idiomatic, and accurate, the only difference being whether you chose to put a bit of emphasis on the continuing nature of the lessons, or chose to present them as a single (though lengthy) event.



What makes the difference here is the adverbial phrase "for very long". This makes the continuous "hadn't been having computer lessons" much more natural than the punctual "hadn't had computer lessons".



In fact, I find "Vivian hadn't had computer lessons for very long" unclear, because it suggests to me that it was written by somebody who wasn't a native speaker, and I would wonder if they meant to say "hadn't been having computer lessons for very long" (meaning that the lessons had started recently) or "hadn't had computer lessons for so long" (which, with emphasis on the "so", would mean "it was such a long time since she last had computer lesson").






share|improve this answer





















  • Does for very long sort of imply recency (regardless of reference time)? If not, i.e. if it's equivalent to for a very long time, the past perfect simple makes just as much sense, without the extra implication that the situation had continued into some time in the past.
    – userr2684291
    Dec 31 '18 at 12:01








  • 1




    @userr2684291: yes, I think it does imply recency (with respect to the temporal focus). It also implies continuity over that period. I don't think it is equivalent to for a very long time: it's much more restricted in its use. It's also restricted to negative contexts, which the longer phrase isn't.
    – Colin Fine
    Dec 31 '18 at 12:27



















2














This is an awkward question because it is framed in a certain context and, depending on the context, more than one answer is possible.



Let's assume that Vivian is still having lessons but that at school last week she wasn't sure how to use the internet. Then we could say:




Vivian hasn't been having computer lessons for very long so she wasn't sure how to use the internet.




That's to say: We use the present perfect continuous because she continues to take lessons and the past tense to describe her experience last week.



But if Vivian stopped taking lessons years ago and we are talking about her school days, we might say:




Vivian hadn't been having......




because we are talking about a learning phase that was completed in the past.



Many native English speakers would simply say that Vivian hadn't had... as you did and nobody would even notice so your choice can easily be excused even if your teacher marked it wrong.






share|improve this answer





























    -2














    This is because someone who tries to learn computer, should take computer lessons in span of time. So the action of attending the classes happens several times, not in a one session class.






    share|improve this answer

















    • 2




      I'm sorry, but this does not address the question. The fact that the activity lasts over several sessions means that it is possible to se the continuous form: it does not imply that you must or should use it. It is very often a stylistic choice whether to use a continuous form or not. In this case it is the for very long that makes the continuous form preferable.
      – Colin Fine
      Dec 31 '18 at 11:33










    • well, I answered based on the question and its meaning. Otherwise I am agree with your point.
      – Mahdi Mirafshar
      Dec 31 '18 at 11:47











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    3 Answers
    3






    active

    oldest

    votes








    3 Answers
    3






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes









    2














    It is often the case that the choice of whether to use a continuous form is a stylistic choice, depending on how the speaker (or writer) wishes to represent the temporal relationships involved.



    If you were just talking about Vivian's experience as a bald fact, you could equally say "Vivian had had computer lessons" or "Vivian had been having computer lessons". These would both be completely grammatical, idiomatic, and accurate, the only difference being whether you chose to put a bit of emphasis on the continuing nature of the lessons, or chose to present them as a single (though lengthy) event.



    What makes the difference here is the adverbial phrase "for very long". This makes the continuous "hadn't been having computer lessons" much more natural than the punctual "hadn't had computer lessons".



    In fact, I find "Vivian hadn't had computer lessons for very long" unclear, because it suggests to me that it was written by somebody who wasn't a native speaker, and I would wonder if they meant to say "hadn't been having computer lessons for very long" (meaning that the lessons had started recently) or "hadn't had computer lessons for so long" (which, with emphasis on the "so", would mean "it was such a long time since she last had computer lesson").






    share|improve this answer





















    • Does for very long sort of imply recency (regardless of reference time)? If not, i.e. if it's equivalent to for a very long time, the past perfect simple makes just as much sense, without the extra implication that the situation had continued into some time in the past.
      – userr2684291
      Dec 31 '18 at 12:01








    • 1




      @userr2684291: yes, I think it does imply recency (with respect to the temporal focus). It also implies continuity over that period. I don't think it is equivalent to for a very long time: it's much more restricted in its use. It's also restricted to negative contexts, which the longer phrase isn't.
      – Colin Fine
      Dec 31 '18 at 12:27
















    2














    It is often the case that the choice of whether to use a continuous form is a stylistic choice, depending on how the speaker (or writer) wishes to represent the temporal relationships involved.



    If you were just talking about Vivian's experience as a bald fact, you could equally say "Vivian had had computer lessons" or "Vivian had been having computer lessons". These would both be completely grammatical, idiomatic, and accurate, the only difference being whether you chose to put a bit of emphasis on the continuing nature of the lessons, or chose to present them as a single (though lengthy) event.



    What makes the difference here is the adverbial phrase "for very long". This makes the continuous "hadn't been having computer lessons" much more natural than the punctual "hadn't had computer lessons".



    In fact, I find "Vivian hadn't had computer lessons for very long" unclear, because it suggests to me that it was written by somebody who wasn't a native speaker, and I would wonder if they meant to say "hadn't been having computer lessons for very long" (meaning that the lessons had started recently) or "hadn't had computer lessons for so long" (which, with emphasis on the "so", would mean "it was such a long time since she last had computer lesson").






    share|improve this answer





















    • Does for very long sort of imply recency (regardless of reference time)? If not, i.e. if it's equivalent to for a very long time, the past perfect simple makes just as much sense, without the extra implication that the situation had continued into some time in the past.
      – userr2684291
      Dec 31 '18 at 12:01








    • 1




      @userr2684291: yes, I think it does imply recency (with respect to the temporal focus). It also implies continuity over that period. I don't think it is equivalent to for a very long time: it's much more restricted in its use. It's also restricted to negative contexts, which the longer phrase isn't.
      – Colin Fine
      Dec 31 '18 at 12:27














    2












    2








    2






    It is often the case that the choice of whether to use a continuous form is a stylistic choice, depending on how the speaker (or writer) wishes to represent the temporal relationships involved.



    If you were just talking about Vivian's experience as a bald fact, you could equally say "Vivian had had computer lessons" or "Vivian had been having computer lessons". These would both be completely grammatical, idiomatic, and accurate, the only difference being whether you chose to put a bit of emphasis on the continuing nature of the lessons, or chose to present them as a single (though lengthy) event.



    What makes the difference here is the adverbial phrase "for very long". This makes the continuous "hadn't been having computer lessons" much more natural than the punctual "hadn't had computer lessons".



    In fact, I find "Vivian hadn't had computer lessons for very long" unclear, because it suggests to me that it was written by somebody who wasn't a native speaker, and I would wonder if they meant to say "hadn't been having computer lessons for very long" (meaning that the lessons had started recently) or "hadn't had computer lessons for so long" (which, with emphasis on the "so", would mean "it was such a long time since she last had computer lesson").






    share|improve this answer












    It is often the case that the choice of whether to use a continuous form is a stylistic choice, depending on how the speaker (or writer) wishes to represent the temporal relationships involved.



    If you were just talking about Vivian's experience as a bald fact, you could equally say "Vivian had had computer lessons" or "Vivian had been having computer lessons". These would both be completely grammatical, idiomatic, and accurate, the only difference being whether you chose to put a bit of emphasis on the continuing nature of the lessons, or chose to present them as a single (though lengthy) event.



    What makes the difference here is the adverbial phrase "for very long". This makes the continuous "hadn't been having computer lessons" much more natural than the punctual "hadn't had computer lessons".



    In fact, I find "Vivian hadn't had computer lessons for very long" unclear, because it suggests to me that it was written by somebody who wasn't a native speaker, and I would wonder if they meant to say "hadn't been having computer lessons for very long" (meaning that the lessons had started recently) or "hadn't had computer lessons for so long" (which, with emphasis on the "so", would mean "it was such a long time since she last had computer lesson").







    share|improve this answer












    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer










    answered Dec 31 '18 at 11:44









    Colin Fine

    28.4k24155




    28.4k24155












    • Does for very long sort of imply recency (regardless of reference time)? If not, i.e. if it's equivalent to for a very long time, the past perfect simple makes just as much sense, without the extra implication that the situation had continued into some time in the past.
      – userr2684291
      Dec 31 '18 at 12:01








    • 1




      @userr2684291: yes, I think it does imply recency (with respect to the temporal focus). It also implies continuity over that period. I don't think it is equivalent to for a very long time: it's much more restricted in its use. It's also restricted to negative contexts, which the longer phrase isn't.
      – Colin Fine
      Dec 31 '18 at 12:27


















    • Does for very long sort of imply recency (regardless of reference time)? If not, i.e. if it's equivalent to for a very long time, the past perfect simple makes just as much sense, without the extra implication that the situation had continued into some time in the past.
      – userr2684291
      Dec 31 '18 at 12:01








    • 1




      @userr2684291: yes, I think it does imply recency (with respect to the temporal focus). It also implies continuity over that period. I don't think it is equivalent to for a very long time: it's much more restricted in its use. It's also restricted to negative contexts, which the longer phrase isn't.
      – Colin Fine
      Dec 31 '18 at 12:27
















    Does for very long sort of imply recency (regardless of reference time)? If not, i.e. if it's equivalent to for a very long time, the past perfect simple makes just as much sense, without the extra implication that the situation had continued into some time in the past.
    – userr2684291
    Dec 31 '18 at 12:01






    Does for very long sort of imply recency (regardless of reference time)? If not, i.e. if it's equivalent to for a very long time, the past perfect simple makes just as much sense, without the extra implication that the situation had continued into some time in the past.
    – userr2684291
    Dec 31 '18 at 12:01






    1




    1




    @userr2684291: yes, I think it does imply recency (with respect to the temporal focus). It also implies continuity over that period. I don't think it is equivalent to for a very long time: it's much more restricted in its use. It's also restricted to negative contexts, which the longer phrase isn't.
    – Colin Fine
    Dec 31 '18 at 12:27




    @userr2684291: yes, I think it does imply recency (with respect to the temporal focus). It also implies continuity over that period. I don't think it is equivalent to for a very long time: it's much more restricted in its use. It's also restricted to negative contexts, which the longer phrase isn't.
    – Colin Fine
    Dec 31 '18 at 12:27













    2














    This is an awkward question because it is framed in a certain context and, depending on the context, more than one answer is possible.



    Let's assume that Vivian is still having lessons but that at school last week she wasn't sure how to use the internet. Then we could say:




    Vivian hasn't been having computer lessons for very long so she wasn't sure how to use the internet.




    That's to say: We use the present perfect continuous because she continues to take lessons and the past tense to describe her experience last week.



    But if Vivian stopped taking lessons years ago and we are talking about her school days, we might say:




    Vivian hadn't been having......




    because we are talking about a learning phase that was completed in the past.



    Many native English speakers would simply say that Vivian hadn't had... as you did and nobody would even notice so your choice can easily be excused even if your teacher marked it wrong.






    share|improve this answer


























      2














      This is an awkward question because it is framed in a certain context and, depending on the context, more than one answer is possible.



      Let's assume that Vivian is still having lessons but that at school last week she wasn't sure how to use the internet. Then we could say:




      Vivian hasn't been having computer lessons for very long so she wasn't sure how to use the internet.




      That's to say: We use the present perfect continuous because she continues to take lessons and the past tense to describe her experience last week.



      But if Vivian stopped taking lessons years ago and we are talking about her school days, we might say:




      Vivian hadn't been having......




      because we are talking about a learning phase that was completed in the past.



      Many native English speakers would simply say that Vivian hadn't had... as you did and nobody would even notice so your choice can easily be excused even if your teacher marked it wrong.






      share|improve this answer
























        2












        2








        2






        This is an awkward question because it is framed in a certain context and, depending on the context, more than one answer is possible.



        Let's assume that Vivian is still having lessons but that at school last week she wasn't sure how to use the internet. Then we could say:




        Vivian hasn't been having computer lessons for very long so she wasn't sure how to use the internet.




        That's to say: We use the present perfect continuous because she continues to take lessons and the past tense to describe her experience last week.



        But if Vivian stopped taking lessons years ago and we are talking about her school days, we might say:




        Vivian hadn't been having......




        because we are talking about a learning phase that was completed in the past.



        Many native English speakers would simply say that Vivian hadn't had... as you did and nobody would even notice so your choice can easily be excused even if your teacher marked it wrong.






        share|improve this answer












        This is an awkward question because it is framed in a certain context and, depending on the context, more than one answer is possible.



        Let's assume that Vivian is still having lessons but that at school last week she wasn't sure how to use the internet. Then we could say:




        Vivian hasn't been having computer lessons for very long so she wasn't sure how to use the internet.




        That's to say: We use the present perfect continuous because she continues to take lessons and the past tense to describe her experience last week.



        But if Vivian stopped taking lessons years ago and we are talking about her school days, we might say:




        Vivian hadn't been having......




        because we are talking about a learning phase that was completed in the past.



        Many native English speakers would simply say that Vivian hadn't had... as you did and nobody would even notice so your choice can easily be excused even if your teacher marked it wrong.







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered Dec 31 '18 at 11:21









        Ronald Sole

        9,81111019




        9,81111019























            -2














            This is because someone who tries to learn computer, should take computer lessons in span of time. So the action of attending the classes happens several times, not in a one session class.






            share|improve this answer

















            • 2




              I'm sorry, but this does not address the question. The fact that the activity lasts over several sessions means that it is possible to se the continuous form: it does not imply that you must or should use it. It is very often a stylistic choice whether to use a continuous form or not. In this case it is the for very long that makes the continuous form preferable.
              – Colin Fine
              Dec 31 '18 at 11:33










            • well, I answered based on the question and its meaning. Otherwise I am agree with your point.
              – Mahdi Mirafshar
              Dec 31 '18 at 11:47
















            -2














            This is because someone who tries to learn computer, should take computer lessons in span of time. So the action of attending the classes happens several times, not in a one session class.






            share|improve this answer

















            • 2




              I'm sorry, but this does not address the question. The fact that the activity lasts over several sessions means that it is possible to se the continuous form: it does not imply that you must or should use it. It is very often a stylistic choice whether to use a continuous form or not. In this case it is the for very long that makes the continuous form preferable.
              – Colin Fine
              Dec 31 '18 at 11:33










            • well, I answered based on the question and its meaning. Otherwise I am agree with your point.
              – Mahdi Mirafshar
              Dec 31 '18 at 11:47














            -2












            -2








            -2






            This is because someone who tries to learn computer, should take computer lessons in span of time. So the action of attending the classes happens several times, not in a one session class.






            share|improve this answer












            This is because someone who tries to learn computer, should take computer lessons in span of time. So the action of attending the classes happens several times, not in a one session class.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered Dec 31 '18 at 11:02









            Mahdi Mirafshar

            724




            724








            • 2




              I'm sorry, but this does not address the question. The fact that the activity lasts over several sessions means that it is possible to se the continuous form: it does not imply that you must or should use it. It is very often a stylistic choice whether to use a continuous form or not. In this case it is the for very long that makes the continuous form preferable.
              – Colin Fine
              Dec 31 '18 at 11:33










            • well, I answered based on the question and its meaning. Otherwise I am agree with your point.
              – Mahdi Mirafshar
              Dec 31 '18 at 11:47














            • 2




              I'm sorry, but this does not address the question. The fact that the activity lasts over several sessions means that it is possible to se the continuous form: it does not imply that you must or should use it. It is very often a stylistic choice whether to use a continuous form or not. In this case it is the for very long that makes the continuous form preferable.
              – Colin Fine
              Dec 31 '18 at 11:33










            • well, I answered based on the question and its meaning. Otherwise I am agree with your point.
              – Mahdi Mirafshar
              Dec 31 '18 at 11:47








            2




            2




            I'm sorry, but this does not address the question. The fact that the activity lasts over several sessions means that it is possible to se the continuous form: it does not imply that you must or should use it. It is very often a stylistic choice whether to use a continuous form or not. In this case it is the for very long that makes the continuous form preferable.
            – Colin Fine
            Dec 31 '18 at 11:33




            I'm sorry, but this does not address the question. The fact that the activity lasts over several sessions means that it is possible to se the continuous form: it does not imply that you must or should use it. It is very often a stylistic choice whether to use a continuous form or not. In this case it is the for very long that makes the continuous form preferable.
            – Colin Fine
            Dec 31 '18 at 11:33












            well, I answered based on the question and its meaning. Otherwise I am agree with your point.
            – Mahdi Mirafshar
            Dec 31 '18 at 11:47




            well, I answered based on the question and its meaning. Otherwise I am agree with your point.
            – Mahdi Mirafshar
            Dec 31 '18 at 11:47










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