Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
The Present Perfect Continuous tense is used to describe an action that started in the past and is still continuing in the present, or has recently stopped but has visible results. It emphasizes the duration of the action. The structure of this tense is: Subject + have/has + been + verb-ing. The given sentence, "They (build) that bridge since 2003," requires correction to accurately reflect this tense and its intended meaning – that the bridge construction began in 2003 and is still ongoing or has recently concluded with visible results.
Corrected Sentence and Explanation
The correct sentence is: They have been building that bridge since 2003.
Detailed Grammatical Breakdown
Let's break down why this is the correct form:
- Subject: They
- Auxiliary Verb: 'have' (used with 'they')
- Been: This is a crucial component of the Present Perfect Continuous tense.
- Main Verb (Present Participle): 'building' (the -ing form of the verb 'build')
- Time Expression: 'since 2003' – This indicates the starting point of the action and emphasizes its duration.
Why the Original Sentence is Incorrect
The original sentence, "They build that bridge since 2003," is grammatically incorrect for several reasons:
- The simple present tense ("build") doesn't convey the ongoing nature of the action.
- The use of "since" requires a perfect tense to indicate an action that started in the past and continues to the present.
Illustrative Examples
Here are a few more examples of the Present Perfect Continuous tense:
- I have been studying English for five years.
- She has been working at the company since 2018.
- We have been waiting for the bus for an hour.
Comparison with Other Tenses
To further clarify, let's compare the Present Perfect Continuous with other related tenses:
| Tense | Structure | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Present | Subject + Verb | Habits, facts, general truths | They build bridges. |
| Present Continuous | Subject + is/am/are + Verb-ing | Actions happening now | They are building a bridge. |
| Present Perfect | Subject + have/has + Past Participle | Actions completed at an unspecified time in the past | They have built a bridge. |
| Present Perfect Continuous | Subject + have/has + been + Verb-ing | Actions started in the past and continuing to the present | They have been building a bridge since 2003. |
Nuances of 'Since' and 'For'
The time expressions 'since' and 'for' are commonly used with the Present Perfect Continuous:
- Since: Used to indicate the starting point of an action (e.g., since 2003, since Monday, since I was a child).
- For: Used to indicate the duration of an action (e.g., for five years, for an hour, for a long time).
Conclusion
In conclusion, the correct sentence is "They have been building that bridge since 2003." This accurately employs the Present Perfect Continuous tense to convey that the construction of the bridge began in 2003 and continues to the present, or has recently finished with visible results. Understanding the nuances of this tense and its correct structure is crucial for effective communication in English.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.