last

[Will17]

Hi again,

Can we say: "this problem started two years ago. It's been lasting for 2 years."

Thanks

W

[hotmetal]

Brit native, not a teacher.

No, that doesn't work. You might say

"This problem started two years ago. It has lasted for two years" or
"This problem started two years ago. It has been a problem for two years" or
"This problem started two years ago. It has continued for two years" or
"This problem started two years ago. It is still a problem"
Obviously in "This problem started two years ago. It has lasted for two years" the second sentence is a reiteration of the first and does not add anything.

[Will17]

Brit native, not a teacher.

No, that doesn't work. You might say

"This problem started two years ago. It has lasted for two years" or
"This problem started two years ago. It has been a problem for two years" or
"This problem started two years ago. It has continued for two years" or
"This problem started two years ago. It is still a problem"
Obviously in "This problem started two years ago. It has lasted for two years" the second sentence is a reiteration of the first and does not add anything.

In fact I wrote the first sentence to make the context clearer. My question is , can we say "it has been lasting"?

Thanks

W

[hotmetal]

In fact I wrote the first sentence to make the context clearer. My question is , can we say "it has been lasting"?

Yes, I thought that was what you had done, just wanted to make it clear for other readers that this formulation is not natural.

The answer is still "No, that doesn't work."
"Has been lasting" is grammatically wrong because the tenses don't agree. "Lasting" implies continuity whereas "has been" means that this state has now ended. That's why I gave other examples of how you can formulate the same idea.

Examples of each part

It has been nice knowing you [but now that time will come to an end because we are parting].

The ink cartridge is lasting well [it has not yet run out, even after many copies].

[rj1948]

Hi again,

Can we say: "this problem started two years ago. It's been lasting for 2 years."

Thanks

W
The problem continues.
It has been lasting for two years. This is present perfect continuous.
The question is whether lasting could be used or not.
Though it looks odd,I Think 'lasting' can be used.
This problem started two years ago.It's been lasting ever since.
This problem started two years ago.It 's been continuing ever since.

Regards,
rj1948.
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