[Grammar] Matt and Sarah (have) have been having some difficulties in their relationship lately

[danghuynh88]

Hello teachers.

I have been confusing with present perfect and present perfect continuous lately. Although I knew when to use it but when it comes to timeline of verb tenses, I get confused all the time. Look at this sentence please:


Matt and Sarah (have) have been having some difficulties in their relationship lately, so they (go) have been going to a marriage counselor. I hope they work everything out. --> The right answer is to apply present perfect continuous for both (have) and (go)

Can I also use present perfect for (go) ??


Matt and Sarah (have) have been having some difficulties in their relationship lately, so they (go) have gone to a marriage counselor. I hope they work everything out

 

[GoesStation]

Yes, you can. Have been going means they began going recently and continue to go. Have gone means they went at least once; it doesn't say whether they continue to see the counselor.

 

[Tarheel]

Maybe it (have gone) doesn't say they have stopped seeing a marriage counselor, but it would be reasonable to assume that is the case. Otherwise, say they are still going.

 

[Tdol]

It (have gone) could also mean that they are not at home now because they are at the marriage counsellor's office now.

 

[Rover_KE]

Note: 'I have been [STRIKE]confusing[/STRIKE] confused ...'