Has been flying for two days
I sometimes meet sentences like this: 'He's been flying to India quite a bit.'
I see that continuous tenses do not allow direct counting of actions (n times), but allow to use 'a bit' or 'a lot'.
My question is, would there be an ambiguity in the clause
'He has been flying to London for two days'.
That is, could it be understood as both a single prolonged trip and a few flights during two days - as if he is a pilot who flies regularly?
Search from various English teachers...
Answers · 11
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‘He has been flying to London for two days’ would give the impression of a single continuous trip. (My immediate response would be, ‘what kind of craft is he flying for such a long trip?’.)
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On its own it would suggest a single, long trip that is ongoing. In the context of a pilot flying regularly you could say ‘he’s been flying back and forth to London for 2 days’ to express your point. Out of context it wouldn’t make too much sense.
Hope that helps!
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He’s been flying for two days sounds as if he has been travelling for the length of two days.
He’s travelled to London twice = he has been to London twice.
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