Have vs have been.

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gmat6087: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 53; Joined: Sat Oct 29, 2011 3:49 amFollowed by: 1 member; Thanked: 2 times

by gmat6087 » Fri Sep 28, 2012 10:36 pm

Can someone please explain me the difference between the below sentences.
Which one should I choose if I get such options in Sentence correction

1)We have lived in a hut for three days.(meaning: we started living in the hut 3 days ago and that we are still living.
2)We have been living in a hut for three days.(I think this also conveys the same meaning)

Source MGMAT SC guide.

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Source: Beat The GMAT — Sentence Correction | Fri Sep 28, 2012 10:36 pm

anuprajan5: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 279; Joined: Mon Jun 25, 2012 10:56 pmFollowed by: 10 members; Thanked: 60 times

by anuprajan5 » Sat Sep 29, 2012 12:55 am

Hi,

These are 2 different verb tenses.

1. This is Present Perfect tense - an action that occurred at an indefinite time but may continue into the present/future. - She has climbed Mount Everest.

2. This is Present Progressive tense - an action that is occurring at this moment.

Regards
Anup

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gmat6087: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 53; Joined: Sat Oct 29, 2011 3:49 amFollowed by: 1 member; Thanked: 2 times

by gmat6087 » Sat Sep 29, 2012 3:21 am

anuprajan5 wrote:Hi,

These are 2 different verb tenses.

1. This is Present Perfect tense - an action that occurred at an indefinite time but may continue into the present/future. - She has climbed Mount Everest.

2. This is Present Progressive tense - an action that is occurring at this moment.

Regards
Anup

1)In the 1st sentence, it tells that they lived in the past and that they are still living.(Action occurring at the present moment).
2)2nd sentence too gives the same meaning.

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anuprajan5: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 279; Joined: Mon Jun 25, 2012 10:56 pmFollowed by: 10 members; Thanked: 60 times

by anuprajan5 » Sat Sep 29, 2012 4:21 am

Hi,,

The first sentence does not say that. It says that they have lived in a hut for 3 days. It may mean that you are still living there or not.

Eg: I have lived in London. - This means that I have lived there and could be living there right now. It does not conclusively mean that I am living there now.

REgards
Anup

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gmat6087: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 53; Joined: Sat Oct 29, 2011 3:49 amFollowed by: 1 member; Thanked: 2 times

by gmat6087 » Sat Sep 29, 2012 11:26 pm

anuprajan5 wrote:Hi,,

The first sentence does not say that. It says that they have lived in a hut for 3 days. It may mean that you are still living there or not.

Eg: I have lived in London. - This means that I have lived there and could be living there right now. It does not conclusively mean that I am living there now.

REgards
Anup

Got it Thanks

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