Amy has done well so far at school. Her parents are satisfied with her grades.

[Alice Chu]

Please tell me the difference between the two sentences below.
1) Amy has done well so far at school. Her parents are satisfied with her grades.
2) Amy has been doing well so far. Her parents are satisfied with her grades.

 

[probus]

There are some subtle little differences. (2) does not mention school, so Amy could be in college or university. Also, the use of the present perfect in (1) admits the possibility that something has changed. It is not certain that anything has changed, and if it has we have no idea what may have changed. Nevertheless the possibility exists.

 

[Tarheel]

The "so far" indicates the speaker expects things to change. Perhaps he/she lacks confidence that Amy will continue to do well.

I would simply say, "Amy is doing well at school."

 

[tedmc]

No.1 implies the possibility that Amy has stopped doing well, which No.2 does not.

 

[5jj]

No.1 implies the possibility that Amy has stopped doing

No, it allows that possibility.

 

[tedmc]

No, it allows that possibility.

Which one allows that possibility? I didn't say No.1 does not allow that possibility.

 

[5jj]

You said that it implies that possibility. It does not.