It's been a while...

[Nightmare85]

Since I had a "was" problem

Hello,
I always think if I should use "was" in such a situation.
Example 1.
2 weeks ago a friend left (and he has not come back yet.)
So you say, "I've been missing him for 2 weeks."
This should be okay, right?

Example 2:
Nearly the same but your friend has just come back and you've already seen him.
So would you say, "I was missing him for 2 weeks." or "I missed him for 2 weeks." :?:
In my opinion the only real answer would be the "was" version.
There's also a chance to say, "I had been missing him for 2 weeks", but I don't think it's necessary here, although I have no idea... :-o

Cheers!

 

[Barb_D]

Ugh.

Native speakers will probably disagree with me. Teachers probably teach this differently than I will explain it.

When you first were learning English, you were probably told about a list of verbs that can't take the progressive. She's loving it, etc. (By the way, I hate the McDonald's slogan.)

Then you will see native speakers DO use those verbs in the progressive in specific situations:
- It's a new situation. I'm loving my new job.
- It's a temporary situation. I'm hating the way you are acting right now!
- It's a transition from one thing to another. I'm seeing what looks like two grey blobs. Okay, now I'm seeing what looks like two people. Okay, great, it's in focus now - I can see a man and a little boy waving, both in grey sweaters.

So you will hear "What is smelling so good?" as the person sniffs in the kitchen, inquiring about dinner, or "She's loving Paris" to describe a temporary trip someone is taking.

Usually you would say "I missed you while you were gone!" but your use is okay because you help transport your listener to your temporary - but strongly felt - sensation of missing this person.

 

[Offroad]

In my humble opinion.

I've been missing him for 2 weeks.:-?
I have missed him for 2 weeks.:tick:
I was missing him for 2 weeks.:cross:
I missed him for 2 weeks.:-?
I had been missing him for 2 weeks.:-?

I may be wrong!

 

[Nightmare85]

Okay, thanks so far.

Offroad, why do you think "have missed" is correct?
You don't miss him anymore because he's back :-?

Let's choose 2 other examples.
(It's pretty much the same as the 1st post but with other verbs.)
Example 1.
2 years ago you started working for a company (and you still work for them.)
So you say, "I've been working for this company for 2 years."
This should be okay, right?

Example 2:
Nearly the same but you were fired yesterday
So would you say, "I was working for that company for 2 years." or "I worked for that company for 2 years." :?:

Now I hope it's better

Cheers!

 

[Offroad]

You got me!

Tricky. Let's wait til a teacher clarifies this for us.

 

[Raymott]

Now I hope it's better

Cheers!

You can say any of those. The decision can come down to your frame of mind at the time.
If it was only yesterday, and you haven't got over the shock yet, you can still say, "I've worked at that company for 2 years" or "I've been working at that company for 2 years."

Expressing it as an existential proposition for your hearer's consideration, you could use the present tense: "I work at that company for two damned years, and they turn around and shaft me!"

 

[Offroad]

Are these correct?

a) I have been missing him for 2 weeks.
b) I have missed him for 2 weeks.
c) I was missing him for 2 weeks.
d) I missed him for 2 weeks.
e) I had been missing him for 2 weeks.

To me, only b) and d) read good.

 

[Raymott]

Are these correct?

a) I have been missing him for 2 weeks.
b) I have missed him for 2 weeks.
c) I was missing him for 2 weeks.
d) I missed him for 2 weeks.
e) I had been missing him for 2 weeks.

To me, only b) and d) read good.

Any of those, except a) would work, given the right context of the discussion, the reason for saying it, etc.

 

[Offroad]

OK...

Could you please provide a context in which c) is correct?

I was missing him for 2 weeks.


Many thanks.

 

[Barb_D]

Are these correct?



To me, only b) and d) read [STRIKE]good[/STRIKE] well.

To answer your question, it works in the context I provided above.

You want your listener to understand that you had this intense, albeit temporary sensation of missing him. It was a constant feeling the whole time he was away.

 

[Offroad]

Well... in that case... :-D 'reads good' would work,too.

:up: