1. Persistent verbs
Indicates that an action can last for a period of time or more. Common ones are studioy, play, do, read, learn, drive, write, clean, slean, sleep, speak, talk, wait, fly, stay, write, sit, stand, lie, keep etc.
Second, instantaneous verbs
Indicates that an action occurs in a moment and is very short. Also known as terminating verbs. Common have begin, start, finish, go, come, leave, find, get up, arrive, reach, get to, enter, hear, stop, open, close, become, buy, borrow, lend, happen, join, lose, renew, die, take away, put up, set out, put on, get on/off, etc.
3. Usage
1. The above two types of verbs can be used when completed now, indicating that the action has ended so far, for example:
He has studied English for three years. (He's been learning English for 3 years.) )
He has joined the Party. (He has joined the party.) )
Mum isn’t at home. She has gone to the library. (Mom wasn't home, she went to the library.) )
2) Persistent verbs can be used in conjunction with adverbs indicating a period of time when completed, while transient verbs cannot. For example:
His parents talked with the teacher for half an hour. (His parents talked to the teacher for half an hour.) )
My mother has lain in bde for 3 days. (My mother has been bedridden for three days.) )
My parents have lived in Shanghai since 1950. (My parents have lived in Shanghai since 1950.) (3) Instantaneous verbs are to be used in conjunction with an adjective indicating a period of time when completed, and there are usually two ways:
(1) Replace it with a persistent verb of comparable meaning, for example:
He has been in the army/a soldier for htree years. (He's been in the army for 3 years.) Can't be joined with has
She has been up for quite some time. (She's been up for a long time.) Can't get up with has
Has your brother been away from home for a long time? (Has your brother been away from home for a long time?) Can't use has left
The corresponding persistent verb relationships of commonly used instantaneous verbs are as follows:
1、go——be away 2、come——be here
3、come back——be back 4、leave——be away(be not here)
5、buy——have 6、borrow——keep
7、die——be dead 8、begin——be on
9、finish——be over 10、open——be open
11、close——be closed 12、lose——be lost
13、get to know——know 14、turn on——be on
15、get up——be up 16、sit down——sit/be seated
17、join——be in(…) 或be a… member 18、become——be
(2) Use it is... since... structure to replace instantaneous verbs, for example:
The movie has been in theaters for 5 minutes. (two methods)
The film has been on for five minutes.
It’s five minutes since the film began.
It has been 3 days since he left Shanghai. (two methods)
He has been away from Shanghai for three days.
It is three days since he left Shanghai.
I've been giving this book to the library for two weeks. (One method)
It’s two weeks since I returned the book to the library.
How long has it been since he found his sister? (One method)
How long is it since be found his sister?
4. The negative form of an instantaneous verb can be used in conjunction with an adjective indicating a period of time, for example:
I haven’t seen you for a long time. (I haven't seen you in a long time.) )