use of tense

[hatimhussain]

Hello,

Which one is correct if I intend to say that for some reasons I have been forced to take only vegetables and nothing else to eat. ?

1. I am having to eat vegetables for many days.

OR

2. I have had to eat vegetables for many days.

OR

3. I have been compelled to eat vegetables for many days.


hatimhussain

[Humble]

Hi, Hatimhussain,
Welcome to the forum.
The preposition for calls for the Perfect. So I'd vote for #2. #3 might also be OK, let native regulars say.
Regards

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by hatimhussain

Hello,

Which one is correct if I intend to say that for some reasons I have been forced to take only vegetables and nothing else to eat. ?

1. I am having to eat vegetables for many days.

OR

2. I have had to eat vegetables for many days.

OR

3. I have been compelled to eat vegetables for many days.



hatimhussain

I like #2.

[rewboss]

1. means that the several-day period is not yet over: you still need to eat vegetables for some days to come. Sentences 2 and 3 could mean the same, but they may also mean that the period has recently finished. Sentence 3 is more formal than sentence 2.

However, none of the sentences mean that you are not able to eat meat during this period -- they just mean you have to eat vegetables. If you change it slightly to "I have had to eat nothing but vegetables..." that clearly means "only vegetables".

[RonBee]

I would say:

I have been required to eat only vegetables for a few days.

(I am assuming that it is per doctor's instructions.)

~R