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1 Post By 5jj
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I have been studying English...
"I have not been studying English for a long time." - It literally means that I have not touched any of the English textbooks, I have not read a word in English, I have not spoken in English etc.
"I have not been studying English seriously for a long time." - I have been studying English for a long time, but I have not been taking it seriously. I has been more like a casual activity to me.
"I have been studying English seriously for not a very long time." - I have been studying English; I have been doing it for some time (apparently for a short period); I have been taking it seriously.
Q: Does each of these sentences sound correct and mean what I've assumed?
Thanks.
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Re: I have been studying English...
"I have not been studying English for a long time." - It literally means that I have not touched any of the English textbooks, I have not read a word in English, I have not spoken in English etc.
Not generally (though it's a possible meaning). It would be clearer to say: I have not studied English for a long time.
"I have not been studying English seriously for a long time." - I have been studying English for a long time, but I have not been taking it seriously. I has been more like a casual activity to me.
That's possible.
"I have been studying English seriously for not a very long time." - I have been studying English; I have been doing it for some time (apparently for a short period); I have been taking it seriously.
That's not natural. Better: I have been studying English seriously for only a short time.
Incidentally 'for some time' usually means 'for more than a short time'.
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