Dear all,
I need to know a teachable difference between these two sentences:
1- Mike has been repairing the car.
2- Mike has repaired the car.
Thanks for your help,
P.S.: Teachable difference is what I', in need of as I already know the difference myself, but can't pass it down to my students in a smooth way.
If you already know the difference, then all you need worry about is making that difference clear. For me, #1 tells us about Mike's recent activity; #2 tells us that the car is ready to drive.
Last edited by 5jj; 14-Jan-2012 at 09:26. Reason: typo
Context is always important; labelling is rarely important.
1- Mike has been repairing the car. (Mike has just finished repairing it or is still working on it)
2- Mike has repaired the car. (Mike is done fixing the car - the work is finished)
1. Action either isnīt finished or has just finished. Indicates a space of time when the action has been done.
2. Action is finished.
1. we focuse our attention on the activity itself, not on the result
2. we are interested with the result not with the activity
Hi
Through pictures you can also let them know the difference. I do it in my classes when I want to show the difference between these two tenses. You can show some one who has just finished repairing the car and is ready to drive it or is ready to hand it to the owner. In another picture that is the continuous one you can show someone who is tired and dirty and show a car that has not been repaired yet. Of course as others mentioned present perfect continuous also refers to finished action as well.
Last edited by moonlike; 03-May-2012 at 20:04.
My brother is learning this grammar-lecture in his link deleted - 5jj I think there you may find a quite good explanation. In my opinion this online-lernportal can be used by teachers for free.
Last edited by 5jj; 03-May-2012 at 15:37. Reason: Link to a pay-site
Not to mention that it's Timmy's brother that is using it. Let him comment about this "lern" portal.