Explain present perfect continuous

[marie josey]

Hi,
Looking for help to explain " Anne has beeen learning " to drive for seven years.

When I explain that this is a continual action over times my students say it isn't continuous and it's long term
therfore the present perfect simple is better !!- Anne has learnt to drive for seven years.

I'm at a loss to explain this as what they say is true, except to say the first sounds better!!

Would appreciate any ideas.
Marie-josey

 

[PaulQ]

it isn't continuous and it's long term

I do not see any difference.
The continuous form of the verb used to be called "the imperfect" because the action had not been "perfected" (i.e. finished.)

The continuous is used for actions that are incomplete at the time they are referred to.

The actions can be continuous or continual.

 

[lingobingo]

Anne has been learning to drive for seven years. (implies she’s still taking lessons)

Anne has learnt to drive for seven years.
(sounds odd – as though driving for 7 years was what she was being taught to do! )

 

[marie josey]

Thanks for that, didn't realise tense used to be called imperfect, good to know.
The continuous form sounds better to me!

marie-josey

 

[marie josey]

Anne has been learning to drive for seven years. (implies she’s still taking lessons)

Anne has learnt to drive for seven years.
(sounds odd – as though driving for 7 years was what she was being taught to do! )

 

[marie josey]

Thanks lingobingo for that, all good information.

 

[Keith Bradford]

Learning to drive isn't continuous, but it is continual.

Continuous = 24/7.
Continual = repeated, ongoing, habitual.

In spite of the terms "past continuous, perfect continuous", we use this tense for repeated actions also.

 

[marie josey]

Thank you Keith for the explication.
Have better understanding of it now.