Present Perfect – Permanent vs Temporary

Permanent / Temporary

Indicating Long- or Short-term Activity

Permanent vs. Temporary

PRESENT PERFECT	PRESENT PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
In this context, using the present perfect implies a more permanent state.	In this context, using the present perfect progressive implies a more temporary state.
The Tower has stood in Pisa since 1352. (permanent)	We have been standing in line two hours. (temporary)
It has leaned for many decades.	I have been leaning against this wall waiting.
The huge bell in the tower hasn't rung for years.	No one has been ringing the bell this morning. (The bell-ringer is sick today.)

Time adverbs associated with these verb tenses:

ADVERBS USED FOR MORE PERMANENT STATES	ADVERBS USED FOR MORE TEMPORARY SITUATIONS
for ten years over the past ten years all his life for this decade always	today this morning this week this month
since 1990 ever since 1990 ever since I was born from the day I arrived in the U. S.	all morning just this week for a little while for the last ten minutes

Common Mistakes

ERROR	FIX
I have lived in the dormitory for* a week."	I have been living in the dormitory for a week. (use progressive) I have lived in the dormitory for six years. (use larger quantity of time)

Practice

Contrasting Temporary and Permanent States

Determine the verb tense depending on whether the speaker is speaking about a temporary or long-term activity.

Select the word from each menu that best completes the sentence.
Compare your response to the answer by clicking the "check" button to the right.

#	YOUR RESPONSE	ANSWER
1.	My grandfather for fifteen years.
2.	This television lately.
3.	The chef here for 35 years.
4.	She all morning to get ready for dinner guests.
5.	Jack for the bus for twenty minutes.
6.	The waiter in this restaurant on tables all his life.

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