skip navigation
 

Tower of Pisa and tourists outside itPermanent / 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)

 

 

 

 

Stative Verbs

Verbs that Change Meaning

 

STATIVE VERB ACTIVE FORM

Use present perfect  (nonprogressive form) with stative verbs.

Most stative verbs do not take the progressive form.  Some stative verbs have different meanings when used in the progressive form.

STATES OF BEING

He has been here for a while. 

 

The president has looked tired for the past few months. appears / seems 

The president has been looking for new advisors. searching

He has appeared to be uncomfortable in public. looks
 

Joe Smith has been appearing on stage for three months. acting

POSSESSION STATES

We have owned our home for several years.

 

We have had our house since 1990. owned 
 

I have been having a lot of headaches recently. experiencing

MENTAL STATES

He has known the secret for a while.

 

They have believed in God for centuries.

SENSORY STATES

I have heard what you said.

 

He has seen the new plans. looked at

He has been seeing a new doctor. going to (as a patient)

He has sounded better since he started taking his medicine. appears
 

The alarm has been sounding all day.  ringing

MEASUREMENT

The cost equals $100,000.

 

He has weighed a lot for quite some time. 
 

He has been weighing himself every day.

 

 

 

 

tvPractice

Contrasting Temporary and Permanent States

 

 

Determine the verb tense depending on whether the speaker is speaking about a temporary or long-term activity.
  1. Select the word from each menu that best completes the sentence. 
  2. Compare your response to the answer by clicking the "check" button to the right. 
# YOUR RESPONSE ANSWER
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.