miércoles, 6 de agosto de 2008

Present Perfect Simple or Continuous

Compare the Present Perfect Simple and Present Perfect Continuous:

1.- We use the Present Perfect Simple
( have painted) to talk about a past activity
that is now completed:

We've painted the rooms. (= The rooms are now painted.)
Anna's mended her bike. (= She can ride it now.)

We use the Present Perfect Continuous ( have been painting)
to emphasize the activity itself, which may or may not be completed:

We've been painting the flat. That's why it smells
We still have three rooms to paint.
Anna's hands are dirty because she's been mending her bike.

2.- We use the Present Perfect Simple to ask and answer How many?
and How much?:

A: How many rooms have you painted?
B: We've painted three of them.

We usually use the Present Perfect Continuous to ask How long?, and
with since and for:

I have been travelling for six months

A: How long have you been waiting? Have you been queuing for a long time?
B: Yes, I've been waiting since two o'clock.


3.- Note that usually use the Present Perfect Simple (not the Continuous):

----> to talk about short actions with have, stop, break, etc.

Tony has had an accident on his bike.

----> with verbs of thinking (e.g. know, decide, forget, notice):

I'm sorry. I've forgotten your name

----> to talk about the last time that something happened:

I haven't eaten meat for two years.
(= I last ate meat two years ago.)

Note that we can use the Present Perfect Simple or the Continuous with
work, teach and live, with no difference in meaning:

I have tought here for two years.
or I have been teaching here for two years.



"Come Undone"

So unimpressed, but so in awe
Such a saint, but such a whore
So self-aware, so full of shit
So indecisive, so adamant
I'm contemplating, thinkin' about thinkin'
It's overrated, just get another drink and

Watch me come undone
They're selling razor blades and mirrors in the street
I pray when I'm coming down, you'll be asleep
If I ever hurt you, your revenge will be so sweet
Because I'm scum, and I'm your son
I come undone
I come undone

So rock 'n' roll, so corporate suit
So damn ugly, so damn cute
So well-trained, so animal
So need your love, so fuck you all
I'm not scared of dying, I just don't want to
If I stop lying, I'll just disappoint you

Come undone
They're selling razor blades and mirrors in the street
Come undone
I pray when I'm coming down, you'll be asleep
Come undone
If I ever hurt you, your revenge will be so sweet
Because I'm scum, and I'm your son
I come undone

So write another ballad, mix it on a Wednesday
Sell it on a Thursday buy a yacht on Saturday
It's a love song, a love song
Do another interview, sing a bunch of lies
Tell about celebrities that I despise
And sing love songs, we sing love songs so sincere

So sincere

Come undone
They're selling razor blades and mirrors in the street
Come undone
I pray when I'm coming down, you'll be asleep
Come undone
The young pretend you're in the clouds above the sea
I come undone
I am scum
Love your son
You've gotta love your son
Come undone
You've gotta love you son
Come undone

Love your son
I am scum
I am scum
I am scum
I am scum
I am scum
I am scum