I want to borrow this book for a week.

[diamondcutter]

Some of my grammar books say that “borrow” is a punctual verb, which can’t be used with a period of time like this:
I’ve borrowed this book for a week.

But I’d like to know if I can say this.

I want to borrow this book for a week.

 

[5jj]

They are wrong.
You can.

 

[diamondcutter]

Thanks, 5jj.

--How long have you borrowed this book?
--A week. And I’ve finished reading it.

For this context, is it necessary to change “borrowed” to “kept”?

 

[emsr2d2]

Thanks, 5jj.

--How long have you borrowed this book for?
--A week. And I’ve finished reading it.

For this context, is it necessary to change “borrowed” to “kept”?

Note my change above. A more natural question is "How long did you borrow this book for?", even if the period of borrowing isn't yet over.

 

[diamondcutter]

Thanks, emsr2d2.

If I’ve borrowed this book for a week is correct, which means I’ve been reading the book for a week, the following sentence is also correct.

I’ve turned on the air-conditioner for ten minutes, but it’s still hot in the room. (By me)
And it has the same meaning as this sentence.
It’s ten minutes since I turned on the air-conditioner, but it’s still hot in the room.

Am I right?

 

[emsr2d2]

Thanks, emsr2d2.

If I’ve borrowed this book for a week is correct, which means I’ve been reading the book for a week, the following sentence is also correct.

1. I’ve turned on the air-conditioner for ten minutes, but it’s still hot in the room. (By me)

And it has the same meaning as this sentence.
2. It’s ten minutes since I turned on the air-conditioner, but it’s still hot in the room.

Am I right?

You could use sentence 1 only if the air conditioner has a timer that you specifically set to run for ten minutes at the start.

 

[diamondcutter]

What about these sentences? Do they also make sense?

1. I’ve bought this computer for 5 years and it still works well.
2. He has broken his leg for a month and he’s still in hospital.
3. Tom has joined the party for ten years and he is the General Secretary now.

 

[emsr2d2]

What about these sentences? Do they also make sense?

1. I’ve bought this computer for 5 years and it still works well. :cross:
2. He has broken his leg for a month and he’s still in hospital. :cross:
3. Tom has joined the party for ten years and he is the General Secretary now. :cross:

Those are all wrong. Buying a computer, breaking a leg and joining a party are all one-off activities. You can't do them for a longer period of time.

1. I bought this computer five years ago ...
2. He broke his leg a month ago ...
3. Tom joined the party ten years ago ...

 

[diamondcutter]

Thanks again, emsr2d2.

Now I understand that “borrow” is both a punctual and durative verb, and some of my grammar books are wrong.
What about “lend”? Is it also both a punctual and durative verb? For example, is this sentence correct?
I’ve lent my bike to Tom for a week and he doesn’t want to return it to me.

 

[tedmc]

I don't know what a punctual or durative verb is, but the sentence is correct to me.

 

[emsr2d2]

Thanks again, emsr2d2.

Now I understand that “borrow” is both a punctual and durative verb, and some of my grammar books are wrong.
What about “lend”? Is it also both a punctual and durative verb? For example, is this sentence correct?
I’ve lent my bike to Tom for a week and he doesn’t want to return it to me.

I wouldn't use the present perfect with an expression of duration. I'd start with "I lent my bike ...". With the present perfect, I'd separate the lending from the duration. For example, "I've lent my bike to Tom. I really need it back but he's had it a week and he's threatening not to give it back".