Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Lifter]

What tense is correct, maybe both? Examples:
1. I have not eaten apples for 2 months or have not been eating?
2. I lost my job 6 months ago and since then I have not worked or have not been working ?
3.That computer has not worked for 2 hours or has not been working?

[Kristea]

Lifter -

All work, but in sentence #2 I think the continous tense sounds better.

For me the difference in tense is a matter of context. Past perfect continous tense conveys the meaning that the current situation is temporary. You will eat apples later after your diet, for example. Regual past perfect better represents the idea that the situation may never change. The computer has not worked for two months, and it may never again.

Hope that helps - Kristi
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[Lifter]

Thanks a lot, it is clear now