Having the knowledge - verb tense

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Talab1234

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“They are having the knowledge to complete this task.”

I think it is ungrammatical. The verb tense seems off. Could you kindly advise? Thanks
 

Rover_KE

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Where did you find this sentence?

How would you improve it?
 
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Talab1234

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I heard someone saying it.

I feel like the correct verb is have.
 

Rover_KE

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Talab1234

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So “they are having” is ungrammatical right?
 

tedmc

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Yes, have comes under stative verb which is not used in the continuous tense.
 

emsr2d2

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Yes, have comes under stative verb which is not used in the continuous tense.

That's not strictly true.


To refer to the future:
I'm having pasta for dinner tonight.
We're having a party on Saturday.

To refer to the present:
She's having a bath. (I know that AmE would use "taking a bath" there.)
 

tedmc

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That's not strictly true.


To refer to the future:
I'm having pasta for dinner tonight.
We're having a party on Saturday.

To refer to the present:
She's having a bath. (I know that AmE would use "taking a bath" there.)

What I meant was "have" being used in the context of knowledge.
 

emsr2d2

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What I meant was "have" being used in the context of knowledge.

That wasn't clear from your response. Most learners would have taken it to mean that "have" is never used in the continuous.
 
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