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Time modifiers |
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S = Subject; P = Participle;
QT = Quantity of Time |
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S HAVE P
for QT |
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She has been in the U.S. for six months |
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and ... |
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S = Subject; P = Participle;
ST = Specific Time |
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S HAVE P
since ST |
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She has been in the U.S. since
June |
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and ... |
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S = Subject; P = Participle;
QT = Quantity of Time |
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S HAVE P
since QT
ago |
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She has been in the U.S. since six months ago |
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Remember that a quantity of time may be several days a month, two years, etc. A
specific time may be Wednesday, July, 2005, etc.
Avoid using for before specific times.
Avoid using for with ago.
Avoid using before after HAVE and a participle. |
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EXAMPLE: |
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Incorrect: |
Mary has been on a diet since three weeks. |
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Correct: |
Mary has been on
a diet for three weeks. |
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Mary has been on a diet since three weeks ago. |
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USEFUL LINKS in our megaportal:
OM
High Intermediate: Present Perfect Continuous
OM
High Intermediate: Since or For? |
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om
personal home page
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om toefl |
