question

[mehdihas]

Hi there,
I have a question. what is the difference between the following two sentences:
1) I am living here for 2 years.
2) I have been living here for two days.
By the way, I'm a university lecturer from Iran. I would like to make friends with some English native speakers. I would be glad if you help me.
Thanks.
Mehdi

[lauralie2]

Hello Mehdi

Sentence 1) is ungrammatical.

1) I am living here for 2 years.

• I am going to live here for 2 years.

[5jj]

Hi there,
I have a question. what is the difference between the following two sentences:
1) I am living here for 2 years.
2) I have been living here for two days.

#1 is grammatical in the sense: This place is my temporary home for a period of two years. Probably some native speakers would use stay rather than live.
It could also be used with a future sense, though Lauralie's version is more likely to be heard.
#2 means that I began to live here two days ago, and I still live here.

[lauralie2]

#1 is grammatical in the sense: This place is my temporary home for a period of two years.

Interesting that it's grammatical in BrE. (In AmE, "I am living here *for 2 years" is ungrammatical.)

[5jj]

Interesting that it's grammatical in BrE. (In AmE, "I am living here *for 2 years" is ungrammatical.)

Are you sure that it's ungrammatical in a context such the one below?

I used to live and work in Phoenix, but moved here a few months ago on a fixed-term contract. I thought it was worth buying a house, as I'm living here for two years. At the end of the contract, I'll sell up and move back to Phoenix.

[lauralie2]

Are you sure that it's ungrammatical in a context such the one below?

I used to live and work in Phoenix, but moved here a few months ago on a fixed-term contract. I thought it was worth buying a house, as I'm living here for two years. At the end of the contract, I'll sell up and move back to Phoenix.

Meaningful, but still ungrammatical, at least on this side of the pond. It's elliptical for 'I am [going to be] living here for 2 years'.

[5jj]

Meaningful, but still ungrammatical, at least on this side of the pond. It's elliptical for 'I am [going to be] living here for 2 years'.

I must accept that I am living is ungrammatical in AmE if you say so. However, it is not elliptical for I am going to be living.

I am living is an example of what is generally known as the present continuous, or present progressive.
I am going to live is an example of what is generally known as the (BE) going to future.

The latter is, incidentally formed with the present continuous of GO. We are talking about two different forms.

[lauralie2]

I am living is an example of what is generally known as the present continuous, or present perfect.

Well, gee. I'm confused: while I am living is indeed an example of the Present Continuous (BE + -ing), it does not appear to house the Present Perfect (HAVE +). What makes it an example of PrePerf?

I am going to live is an example of what is generally known as the (BE) going to future.

Yes, and I believe we already agree on that:

• I am going to be living here for 2 years.
• I am going to live here for 2 years.

No matter the analysis or the terms, the sentence in question (I am living here for 2 years) still rings ungrammatical to my ears. It's interesting that it's perfectly acceptable in BrE in that it's usually AmE that admits weird English.

[5jj]

Well, gee. I'm confused: while I am living is indeed an example of the Present Continuous (BE + -ing), it does not appear to house the Present Perfect (HAVE +). What makes it an example of PrePerf?B

Sorrry, Lauralie. I clearly had a mental lapse there. I meant to write progressive. I have already edited my post to avoid further problems. I have to go out now, but will return later. I just sent this off quickly to clear up the slip.

[5jj]

I was hoping that some other speakers of BrE might join this thread to confirm my feeling - or to tell me I am wrong.

I still believe that I am right, but I am beginning to doubt myself. I would welcome confirmation from others.