Using the correct tense to establish a past context
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
New contributor
add a comment |
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
New contributor
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
add a comment |
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
New contributor
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
past-perfect past-perfect-continuous
New contributor
New contributor
edited Dec 31 '18 at 11:04
userr2684291
2,59621531
2,59621531
New contributor
asked Dec 31 '18 at 10:43
user3132457
182
182
New contributor
New contributor
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
add a comment |
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
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
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").
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
add a comment |
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.
add a comment |
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.
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
add a comment |
Your Answer
StackExchange.ready(function() {
var channelOptions = {
tags: "".split(" "),
id: "481"
};
initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);
StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
// Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
createEditor();
});
}
else {
createEditor();
}
});
function createEditor() {
StackExchange.prepareEditor({
heartbeatType: 'answer',
autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
convertImagesToLinks: false,
noModals: true,
showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
reputationToPostImages: null,
bindNavPrevention: true,
postfix: "",
imageUploader: {
brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
allowUrls: true
},
noCode: true, onDemand: true,
discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
});
}
});
user3132457 is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fell.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f191370%2fusing-the-correct-tense-to-establish-a-past-context%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
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").
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
add a comment |
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").
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
add a comment |
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").
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").
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
add a comment |
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
add a comment |
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.
add a comment |
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.
add a comment |
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.
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.
answered Dec 31 '18 at 11:21
Ronald Sole
9,81111019
9,81111019
add a comment |
add a comment |
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.
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
add a comment |
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.
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
add a comment |
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.
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.
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
add a comment |
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
add a comment |
user3132457 is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
user3132457 is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
user3132457 is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
user3132457 is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Thanks for contributing an answer to English Language Learners Stack Exchange!
- Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!
But avoid …
- Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.
- Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.
To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.
Some of your past answers have not been well-received, and you're in danger of being blocked from answering.
Please pay close attention to the following guidance:
- Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!
But avoid …
- Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.
- Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.
To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fell.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f191370%2fusing-the-correct-tense-to-establish-a-past-context%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
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