correct verb

Tan Elaine · May 27, 2010

Susan had frequent nightmares. She was so troubled that she went to see a psychiatrist. After a short period of treatment, she stopped having nightmares. Since then she has slept/has been sleeping soundly every night.

Which verb should I use?

Thanks in advance.

2006 · May 27, 2010

Tan Elaine said:
Susan had frequent nightmares. She was so troubled that she went to see a psychiatrist. After a short period of treatment, she stopped having nightmares. Since then she has slept/has been sleeping soundly every night.

Which verb should I use?

Thanks in advance.

Since then she has slept/has been sleeping/sleeps soundly every night.

You could even say 'Since then she slept soundly every night.' But most people, especially speakers of British English, would choose one of the first three.

Tan Elaine · May 28, 2010

Hi 2006

Your answer differs from that given by Stitusandrews in that you say several verbs could be used.

Could I hear from other members, please?

Thanks.

Raymott · May 28, 2010

Tan Elaine said:
Hi 2006

Your answer differs from that given by Stitusandrews in that you say several verbs could be used.

Could I hear from other members, please?

Thanks.

I agree with 2006 on this occasion.

sarat_106 · May 28, 2010

Tan Elaine said:
Hi 2006

Your answer differs from that given by Stitusandrews in that you say several verbs could be used.

Could I hear from other members, please?

Thanks.

‘Since then’ is the key expression here. The word 'then' in the expression refers to a specific point in the past (which has already been mentioned, in the previous sentence).'Since then' is typically used with the present perfect simple (has slept)or the present perfect continuous(has been sleeping),which can generally be accepted.
However, because the action becomes permanent in nature present simple is also possible, though use of simple past will not be wrong.

billmcd · May 28, 2010

I like "has been sleeping". "Has slept", while it indicates up to the moment, it has a sense of finality to it. "Has been sleeping", on the other hand, while it also indicates up to the moment, suggests the possibility of continuance.

2006 · May 28, 2010

billmcd said:
I like "has been sleeping". "Has slept", while it indicates up to the moment, it has a sense of finality to it. "Has been sleeping", on the other hand, while it also indicates up to the moment, suggests the possibility of continuance.

I don't think any of the offered tenses suggest what is likely to happen in the future.

billmcd · May 28, 2010

2006 said:
I don't think any of the offered tenses suggest what is likely to happen in the future.

2006: You have sent me scurrying for a response. First, please note that I stated "has been sleeping" in Tan Elaine's example (and many uses of present perfect continuous) "suggests the possibility of continuance" i.e. does not preclude possibility. Second, I have found these excerpts from a variety of sources on use of present perfect continuous:

1. "The present perfect progressive expresses an action that recently stopped or is still going on. It puts emphasis on the duration or course of the action."(ego4u)
2. "The present perfect continuous is also used to refer to an event that may or may not be finished when it's effect can be seen now."(learnenglish)
3. "We use the present perfect continuous to talk about an action or actions that started in the past and continued until recently or that continue into the future." (englishgrammarsecrets)

Tdol · May 29, 2010

I agree that it is not precluding the possibility where it is current or unfinished, but anything more is a logical deduction and not expressed by the verb form. If I say 'he's been sitting there for an hour', it is likely that he will continue sitting, but he could equally get up and walk off. I would disagree with the englishgrammarsecrets version because I think it overstates the case- they may continue because unfinished and current things often do, but then again they may not. The verb form itself doesn't say anything about the future.

bertietheblue · May 29, 2010

Raymott said:
I agree with 2006 on this occasion.

Hmm. I'm not so sure I'd use the present simple here, not with 'since then', and I certainly wouldn't use the past simple.

2010 · May 30, 2010

---Not a Teacher---

"Since then" denotes the time duration. I guess the present continuous tense fits the best.

Example:

Since then he has been playing soccer.

Since then they have been living in Paris.

Etc...

Please let me know if my understanding is incorrect.
If any example could be provided with present perfect and '"since then" in the sentence, that would be very helpful.

Thank you:up:

billmcd · May 31, 2010

Tdol said:
I agree that it is not precluding the possibility where it is current or unfinished, but anything more is a logical deduction and not expressed by the verb form. If I say 'he's been sitting there for an hour', it is likely that he will continue sitting, but he could equally get up and walk off. I would disagree with the englishgrammarsecrets version because I think it overstates the case- they may continue because unfinished and current things often do, but then again they may not. The verb form itself doesn't say anything about the future.

Thanks Tdol but I will stand by my "logical deduction" with the use of present perfect continuous in Telaine's example. So, hopefully, we can agree to disagree.

sarat_106 · May 31, 2010

2010 said:
---Not a Teacher---

If any example could be provided with present perfect and '"since then" in the sentence, that would be very helpful.

Thank you:up:

Here are two examples copied from the web, using present perfect with the expression 'since then':

We noticed opportunity to remove other non-physical clutter from our lives: emotional clutter, relational clutter, and spiritual clutter. Since then, we have worked hard to maintain a clutter-free life.

The definition of PTSD first gained recognition from the medical community in 1980, following the Vietnam War. Since then doctors have applied the diagnosis to those victimized by other traumas, including rape and child abuse.

2010 · May 31, 2010

Thank you Sarat!

correct verb

Tan Elaine

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