Why can't we say “I have been having a dog”? The Next CEO of Stack OverflowWhy can't I say...
Is it correct to say moon starry nights?
Find the majority element, which appears more than half the time
Is it possible to create a QR code using text?
Physiological effects of huge anime eyes
Simplify trigonometric expression using trigonometric identities
How dangerous is XSS
Is the offspring between a demon and a celestial possible? If so what is it called and is it in a book somewhere?
The sum of any ten consecutive numbers from a fibonacci sequence is divisible by 11
Is a distribution that is normal, but highly skewed, considered Gaussian?
How to unfasten electrical subpanel attached with ramset
Does int main() need a declaration on C++?
Which acid/base does a strong base/acid react when added to a buffer solution?
Small nick on power cord from an electric alarm clock, and copper wiring exposed but intact
Incomplete cube
Car headlights in a world without electricity
What does this strange code stamp on my passport mean?
Shortening a title without changing its meaning
How exploitable/balanced is this homebrew spell: Spell Permanency?
Compensation for working overtime on Saturdays
Ising model simulation
Are British MPs missing the point, with these 'Indicative Votes'?
Man transported from Alternate World into ours by a Neutrino Detector
Why can't we say "I have been having a dog"?
Do I need to write [sic] when including a quotation with a number less than 10 that isn't written out?
Why can't we say “I have been having a dog”?
The Next CEO of Stack OverflowWhy can't I say “I have a brown hair”?“How long have you [had/been having] this?” - Cont. or Simple?Is it correct to say “ have been not” in English?have been + V ing vs have been + V edWhat is the grammatically correct way to say “Have you ever been shot at?”“Should never have been” or “should have never been”?Can't have (been) V.S. couldn't have (been)One of the main reasons I picked up a guitar(English Grammar ) reason why my answer is wrong why it is not has been visiting , why is answer is have been visitedIs it correct to say “proud of having met you”, or should it be “proud to have met”?
So I can say "I have been playing the guitar since I was 6" but "I have been having a dog since I was 6" sounds incorrect. Why?
grammar
edited 23 mins ago
W.E.
1057
asked 4 hours ago
HannahHannah
191
New contributor
Hannah is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
|
show 1 more comment
So I can say "I have been playing the guitar since I was 6" but "I have been having a dog since I was 6" sounds incorrect. Why?
grammar
edited 23 mins ago
W.E.
1057
asked 4 hours ago
HannahHannah
191
New contributor
Hannah is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
3
"Having", in that sense, implies repeated actions rather than a continuous action. "I have been having a hot dog for breakfast since I was 6."
– Hot Licks
4 hours ago
[Why can't we say or why don't we say]
– Lambie
3 hours ago
1
The right question is not "Why can't we say" etc. because you can say anything you like. The question is what does it mean when I say A or B.
– Lambie
3 hours ago
@TonyK enough. I will bring this to moderator attention and see this through. You do not go around putting people down and using language some would consider bullying. Delete the comment now or I will raise this.
– Lordology
3 hours ago
@TonyK I have. I have alerted the moderators and flagged this as abuse. Who do you think you are? This is unacceptable!
– Lordology
3 hours ago
|
show 1 more comment
So I can say "I have been playing the guitar since I was 6" but "I have been having a dog since I was 6" sounds incorrect. Why?
grammar
edited 23 mins ago
W.E.
1057
asked 4 hours ago
HannahHannah
191
New contributor
Hannah is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
So I can say "I have been playing the guitar since I was 6" but "I have been having a dog since I was 6" sounds incorrect. Why?
grammar
grammar
edited 23 mins ago
W.E.
1057
asked 4 hours ago
HannahHannah
191
New contributor
Hannah is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 23 mins ago
W.E.
1057
asked 4 hours ago
HannahHannah
191
New contributor
Hannah is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 23 mins ago
W.E.
1057
edited 23 mins ago
W.E.
1057
edited 23 mins ago
W.E.
1057
1057
asked 4 hours ago
HannahHannah
191
New contributor
Hannah is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 4 hours ago
HannahHannah
191
asked 4 hours ago
HannahHannah
191
191
New contributor
Hannah is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Hannah is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Hannah is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
3
"Having", in that sense, implies repeated actions rather than a continuous action. "I have been having a hot dog for breakfast since I was 6."
– Hot Licks
4 hours ago
[Why can't we say or why don't we say]
– Lambie
3 hours ago
1
The right question is not "Why can't we say" etc. because you can say anything you like. The question is what does it mean when I say A or B.
– Lambie
3 hours ago
@TonyK enough. I will bring this to moderator attention and see this through. You do not go around putting people down and using language some would consider bullying. Delete the comment now or I will raise this.
– Lordology
3 hours ago
@TonyK I have. I have alerted the moderators and flagged this as abuse. Who do you think you are? This is unacceptable!
– Lordology
3 hours ago
|
show 1 more comment
3
"Having", in that sense, implies repeated actions rather than a continuous action. "I have been having a hot dog for breakfast since I was 6."
– Hot Licks
4 hours ago
[Why can't we say or why don't we say]
– Lambie
3 hours ago
1
The right question is not "Why can't we say" etc. because you can say anything you like. The question is what does it mean when I say A or B.
– Lambie
3 hours ago
@TonyK enough. I will bring this to moderator attention and see this through. You do not go around putting people down and using language some would consider bullying. Delete the comment now or I will raise this.
– Lordology
3 hours ago
@TonyK I have. I have alerted the moderators and flagged this as abuse. Who do you think you are? This is unacceptable!
– Lordology
3 hours ago
3
3
"Having", in that sense, implies repeated actions rather than a continuous action. "I have been having a hot dog for breakfast since I was 6."
– Hot Licks
4 hours ago
"Having", in that sense, implies repeated actions rather than a continuous action. "I have been having a hot dog for breakfast since I was 6."
– Hot Licks
4 hours ago
[Why can't we say or why don't we say]
– Lambie
3 hours ago
[Why can't we say or why don't we say]
– Lambie
3 hours ago
1
1
The right question is not "Why can't we say" etc. because you can say anything you like. The question is what does it mean when I say A or B.
– Lambie
3 hours ago
The right question is not "Why can't we say" etc. because you can say anything you like. The question is what does it mean when I say A or B.
– Lambie
3 hours ago
@TonyK enough. I will bring this to moderator attention and see this through. You do not go around putting people down and using language some would consider bullying. Delete the comment now or I will raise this.
– Lordology
3 hours ago
@TonyK enough. I will bring this to moderator attention and see this through. You do not go around putting people down and using language some would consider bullying. Delete the comment now or I will raise this.
– Lordology
3 hours ago
@TonyK I have. I have alerted the moderators and flagged this as abuse. Who do you think you are? This is unacceptable!
– Lordology
3 hours ago
@TonyK I have. I have alerted the moderators and flagged this as abuse. Who do you think you are? This is unacceptable!
– Lordology
3 hours ago
|
show 1 more comment
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
Question: So I can say "I have been playing the guitar since I was 6" but "I have been having a dog since I was 6" sounds incorrect. Why?
Answer:
To play a guitar is an activity. It can have started in the past and
be going on until now. Active verbs can be used progressively (with to
be and ing).
To have a dog means to own a dog. The verb to "have" in the sense of possess is not usually used in the progressive tenses. It is not an active verb like play and does not take a direct object. (Though in some circumstances it is used progressively, let's ignore that for now.) If you want to show the fact your owning a dog began when you were six and is still part of your life, you have to say:
I have had a dog since I was six. You have to use the present perfect.
That's the formal answer for you.
(please note: there is an idiom in the English language which is: to have a cow, which means to express the fact you are upset. That can be used progressively: She's pretty angry. She's having a cow.]
answered 3 hours ago
LambieLambie
7,6361933
You can also say things like "I'm having a bit of a problem with this task," although I'm struggling to think of a context where you can would use progressive "have" with a non-abstract object
– Azor Ahai
1 hour ago
@AzorAhai I'm having chicken for dinner.
– Lambie
1 hour ago
add a comment |
The present continuous is not normally used with stative verbs such as "be", "have" (possession), "want", "cost" etc.
- He has a wife and two children. YES
- He is having a wife and two children. NO
- He has been married since 2015 YES
- He has been being married since 2015 NO
- She has played the guitar since she was six. YES
- She has been playing the guitar since she was six. YES
- I have had a dog since I was six [years old] YES
- I have been having a dog since I was six [years old] NO
answered 3 hours ago
Mari-Lou AMari-Lou A
62.5k57224462
add a comment |
The verb "having" implies that you are experiancing, enduring, or undergoing something.
The sentence is gramatically correct, however, the present perfect tense usage coupled with the verb "having" implies that something isnt right. I believe its because the verb "having" implies that there are factors outside of your control or that you are experiancing . Like: having a heart attack, having a baby, having a bad day, having an epiphany...
answered 2 hours ago
user342390user342390
212
New contributor
user342390 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
I'm afraid this makes no sense at all.
– TonyK
2 hours ago
On the contrary, I think it's clear and relevant. For example it would be fine to say "I've been having kittens ever since I heard the news." ['Having kittens is, in the UK, a colloquial way of talking about a state of panic.] The point being made by user 342390 is that what makes it OK here, but not in the case of the dog, is that one has no control over it; the state is thrust upon one.
– Philip Wood
48 mins ago
I'm having a sandwich, a think, a quick drink, a party,... All of these are under my control.
– TonyK
18 mins ago
add a comment |
Because you can say "I am playing guitar", but you can't say "I am having a dog". (Please, no irrelevant comments about eating hot dogs.)
answered 3 hours ago
TonyKTonyK
1,984310
You can't say "I am playing guitar" and you can say "I am having a dog". While it may be a localism to some places, countable singular nouns need determiners. As for "I am having a dog", having refers to eating, so it's grammatical, much like I am having a milkshake is.
– Lordology
3 hours ago
1
@Lordology: "I am playing guitar" is perfectly acceptable, as Google Ngram Viewer attests. As for "I am having a dog": I did ask you to leave hot dogs out of this, but you seem to have ignored my request. Oh well.
– TonyK
3 hours ago
I don't care. Whether you are or aren't "allowed" to mention hot dogs, you can't avoid the fact it's grammatical.
– Lordology
3 hours ago
1
@Lordology how many people do you know have been eating only one type of food, continuously or intermittently since they were six years of age? This has nothing to do with dietary preferences. The OP is clearly asking about owning a pet dog.
– Mari-Lou A
3 hours ago
3
@Lordology - Please explain why You can't say "I am playing guitar"!!!
– Hot Licks
2 hours ago
|
show 10 more comments
StackExchange.ready(function() {
var channelOptions = {
tags: "".split(" "),
id: "97"
};
initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);
StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
// Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
createEditor();
});
}
else {
createEditor();
}
});
function createEditor() {
StackExchange.prepareEditor({
heartbeatType: 'answer',
autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
convertImagesToLinks: false,
noModals: true,
showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
reputationToPostImages: null,
bindNavPrevention: true,
postfix: "",
imageUploader: {
brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
allowUrls: true
},
noCode: true, onDemand: true,
discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
});
}
});
Hannah is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fenglish.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f492185%2fwhy-cant-we-say-i-have-been-having-a-dog%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
Question: So I can say "I have been playing the guitar since I was 6" but "I have been having a dog since I was 6" sounds incorrect. Why?
Answer:
To play a guitar is an activity. It can have started in the past and
be going on until now. Active verbs can be used progressively (with to
be and ing).
To have a dog means to own a dog. The verb to "have" in the sense of possess is not usually used in the progressive tenses. It is not an active verb like play and does not take a direct object. (Though in some circumstances it is used progressively, let's ignore that for now.) If you want to show the fact your owning a dog began when you were six and is still part of your life, you have to say:
I have had a dog since I was six. You have to use the present perfect.
That's the formal answer for you.
(please note: there is an idiom in the English language which is: to have a cow, which means to express the fact you are upset. That can be used progressively: She's pretty angry. She's having a cow.]
answered 3 hours ago
LambieLambie
7,6361933
You can also say things like "I'm having a bit of a problem with this task," although I'm struggling to think of a context where you can would use progressive "have" with a non-abstract object
– Azor Ahai
1 hour ago
@AzorAhai I'm having chicken for dinner.
– Lambie
1 hour ago
add a comment |
Question: So I can say "I have been playing the guitar since I was 6" but "I have been having a dog since I was 6" sounds incorrect. Why?
Answer:
To play a guitar is an activity. It can have started in the past and
be going on until now. Active verbs can be used progressively (with to
be and ing).
To have a dog means to own a dog. The verb to "have" in the sense of possess is not usually used in the progressive tenses. It is not an active verb like play and does not take a direct object. (Though in some circumstances it is used progressively, let's ignore that for now.) If you want to show the fact your owning a dog began when you were six and is still part of your life, you have to say:
I have had a dog since I was six. You have to use the present perfect.
That's the formal answer for you.
(please note: there is an idiom in the English language which is: to have a cow, which means to express the fact you are upset. That can be used progressively: She's pretty angry. She's having a cow.]
answered 3 hours ago
LambieLambie
7,6361933
You can also say things like "I'm having a bit of a problem with this task," although I'm struggling to think of a context where you can would use progressive "have" with a non-abstract object
– Azor Ahai
1 hour ago
@AzorAhai I'm having chicken for dinner.
– Lambie
1 hour ago
add a comment |
Question: So I can say "I have been playing the guitar since I was 6" but "I have been having a dog since I was 6" sounds incorrect. Why?
Answer:
To play a guitar is an activity. It can have started in the past and
be going on until now. Active verbs can be used progressively (with to
be and ing).
To have a dog means to own a dog. The verb to "have" in the sense of possess is not usually used in the progressive tenses. It is not an active verb like play and does not take a direct object. (Though in some circumstances it is used progressively, let's ignore that for now.) If you want to show the fact your owning a dog began when you were six and is still part of your life, you have to say:
I have had a dog since I was six. You have to use the present perfect.
That's the formal answer for you.
(please note: there is an idiom in the English language which is: to have a cow, which means to express the fact you are upset. That can be used progressively: She's pretty angry. She's having a cow.]
answered 3 hours ago
LambieLambie
7,6361933
Question: So I can say "I have been playing the guitar since I was 6" but "I have been having a dog since I was 6" sounds incorrect. Why?
Answer:
To play a guitar is an activity. It can have started in the past and
be going on until now. Active verbs can be used progressively (with to
be and ing).
To have a dog means to own a dog. The verb to "have" in the sense of possess is not usually used in the progressive tenses. It is not an active verb like play and does not take a direct object. (Though in some circumstances it is used progressively, let's ignore that for now.) If you want to show the fact your owning a dog began when you were six and is still part of your life, you have to say:
I have had a dog since I was six. You have to use the present perfect.
That's the formal answer for you.
(please note: there is an idiom in the English language which is: to have a cow, which means to express the fact you are upset. That can be used progressively: She's pretty angry. She's having a cow.]
answered 3 hours ago
LambieLambie
7,6361933
answered 3 hours ago
LambieLambie
7,6361933
answered 3 hours ago
LambieLambie
7,6361933
answered 3 hours ago
LambieLambie
7,6361933
7,6361933
You can also say things like "I'm having a bit of a problem with this task," although I'm struggling to think of a context where you can would use progressive "have" with a non-abstract object
– Azor Ahai
1 hour ago
@AzorAhai I'm having chicken for dinner.
– Lambie
1 hour ago
add a comment |
You can also say things like "I'm having a bit of a problem with this task," although I'm struggling to think of a context where you can would use progressive "have" with a non-abstract object
– Azor Ahai
1 hour ago
@AzorAhai I'm having chicken for dinner.
– Lambie
1 hour ago
You can also say things like "I'm having a bit of a problem with this task," although I'm struggling to think of a context where you can would use progressive "have" with a non-abstract object
– Azor Ahai
1 hour ago
You can also say things like "I'm having a bit of a problem with this task," although I'm struggling to think of a context where you can would use progressive "have" with a non-abstract object
– Azor Ahai
1 hour ago
@AzorAhai I'm having chicken for dinner.
– Lambie
1 hour ago
@AzorAhai I'm having chicken for dinner.
– Lambie
1 hour ago
add a comment |
The present continuous is not normally used with stative verbs such as "be", "have" (possession), "want", "cost" etc.
- He has a wife and two children. YES
- He is having a wife and two children. NO
- He has been married since 2015 YES
- He has been being married since 2015 NO
- She has played the guitar since she was six. YES
- She has been playing the guitar since she was six. YES
- I have had a dog since I was six [years old] YES
- I have been having a dog since I was six [years old] NO
answered 3 hours ago
Mari-Lou AMari-Lou A
62.5k57224462
add a comment |
The present continuous is not normally used with stative verbs such as "be", "have" (possession), "want", "cost" etc.
- He has a wife and two children. YES
- He is having a wife and two children. NO
- He has been married since 2015 YES
- He has been being married since 2015 NO
- She has played the guitar since she was six. YES
- She has been playing the guitar since she was six. YES
- I have had a dog since I was six [years old] YES
- I have been having a dog since I was six [years old] NO
answered 3 hours ago
Mari-Lou AMari-Lou A
62.5k57224462
add a comment |
The present continuous is not normally used with stative verbs such as "be", "have" (possession), "want", "cost" etc.
- He has a wife and two children. YES
- He is having a wife and two children. NO
- He has been married since 2015 YES
- He has been being married since 2015 NO
- She has played the guitar since she was six. YES
- She has been playing the guitar since she was six. YES
- I have had a dog since I was six [years old] YES
- I have been having a dog since I was six [years old] NO
answered 3 hours ago
Mari-Lou AMari-Lou A
62.5k57224462
The present continuous is not normally used with stative verbs such as "be", "have" (possession), "want", "cost" etc.
- He has a wife and two children. YES
- He is having a wife and two children. NO
- He has been married since 2015 YES
- He has been being married since 2015 NO
- She has played the guitar since she was six. YES
- She has been playing the guitar since she was six. YES
- I have had a dog since I was six [years old] YES
- I have been having a dog since I was six [years old] NO
answered 3 hours ago
Mari-Lou AMari-Lou A
62.5k57224462
answered 3 hours ago
Mari-Lou AMari-Lou A
62.5k57224462
answered 3 hours ago
Mari-Lou AMari-Lou A
62.5k57224462
answered 3 hours ago
Mari-Lou AMari-Lou A
62.5k57224462
62.5k57224462
add a comment |
add a comment |
The verb "having" implies that you are experiancing, enduring, or undergoing something.
The sentence is gramatically correct, however, the present perfect tense usage coupled with the verb "having" implies that something isnt right. I believe its because the verb "having" implies that there are factors outside of your control or that you are experiancing . Like: having a heart attack, having a baby, having a bad day, having an epiphany...
answered 2 hours ago
user342390user342390
212
New contributor
user342390 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
I'm afraid this makes no sense at all.
– TonyK
2 hours ago
On the contrary, I think it's clear and relevant. For example it would be fine to say "I've been having kittens ever since I heard the news." ['Having kittens is, in the UK, a colloquial way of talking about a state of panic.] The point being made by user 342390 is that what makes it OK here, but not in the case of the dog, is that one has no control over it; the state is thrust upon one.
– Philip Wood
48 mins ago
I'm having a sandwich, a think, a quick drink, a party,... All of these are under my control.
– TonyK
18 mins ago
add a comment |
The verb "having" implies that you are experiancing, enduring, or undergoing something.
The sentence is gramatically correct, however, the present perfect tense usage coupled with the verb "having" implies that something isnt right. I believe its because the verb "having" implies that there are factors outside of your control or that you are experiancing . Like: having a heart attack, having a baby, having a bad day, having an epiphany...
answered 2 hours ago
user342390user342390
212
New contributor
user342390 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
I'm afraid this makes no sense at all.
– TonyK
2 hours ago
On the contrary, I think it's clear and relevant. For example it would be fine to say "I've been having kittens ever since I heard the news." ['Having kittens is, in the UK, a colloquial way of talking about a state of panic.] The point being made by user 342390 is that what makes it OK here, but not in the case of the dog, is that one has no control over it; the state is thrust upon one.
– Philip Wood
48 mins ago
I'm having a sandwich, a think, a quick drink, a party,... All of these are under my control.
– TonyK
18 mins ago
add a comment |
The verb "having" implies that you are experiancing, enduring, or undergoing something.
The sentence is gramatically correct, however, the present perfect tense usage coupled with the verb "having" implies that something isnt right. I believe its because the verb "having" implies that there are factors outside of your control or that you are experiancing . Like: having a heart attack, having a baby, having a bad day, having an epiphany...
answered 2 hours ago
user342390user342390
212
New contributor
user342390 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
The verb "having" implies that you are experiancing, enduring, or undergoing something.
The sentence is gramatically correct, however, the present perfect tense usage coupled with the verb "having" implies that something isnt right. I believe its because the verb "having" implies that there are factors outside of your control or that you are experiancing . Like: having a heart attack, having a baby, having a bad day, having an epiphany...
answered 2 hours ago
user342390user342390
212
New contributor
user342390 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 2 hours ago
answered 2 hours ago
user342390user342390
212
New contributor
user342390 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 2 hours ago
user342390user342390
212
answered 2 hours ago
user342390user342390
212
212
New contributor
user342390 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
user342390 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
user342390 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
I'm afraid this makes no sense at all.
– TonyK
2 hours ago
On the contrary, I think it's clear and relevant. For example it would be fine to say "I've been having kittens ever since I heard the news." ['Having kittens is, in the UK, a colloquial way of talking about a state of panic.] The point being made by user 342390 is that what makes it OK here, but not in the case of the dog, is that one has no control over it; the state is thrust upon one.
– Philip Wood
48 mins ago
I'm having a sandwich, a think, a quick drink, a party,... All of these are under my control.
– TonyK
18 mins ago
add a comment |
1
I'm afraid this makes no sense at all.
– TonyK
2 hours ago
On the contrary, I think it's clear and relevant. For example it would be fine to say "I've been having kittens ever since I heard the news." ['Having kittens is, in the UK, a colloquial way of talking about a state of panic.] The point being made by user 342390 is that what makes it OK here, but not in the case of the dog, is that one has no control over it; the state is thrust upon one.
– Philip Wood
48 mins ago
I'm having a sandwich, a think, a quick drink, a party,... All of these are under my control.
– TonyK
18 mins ago
1
1
I'm afraid this makes no sense at all.
– TonyK
2 hours ago
I'm afraid this makes no sense at all.
– TonyK
2 hours ago
On the contrary, I think it's clear and relevant. For example it would be fine to say "I've been having kittens ever since I heard the news." ['Having kittens is, in the UK, a colloquial way of talking about a state of panic.] The point being made by user 342390 is that what makes it OK here, but not in the case of the dog, is that one has no control over it; the state is thrust upon one.
– Philip Wood
48 mins ago
On the contrary, I think it's clear and relevant. For example it would be fine to say "I've been having kittens ever since I heard the news." ['Having kittens is, in the UK, a colloquial way of talking about a state of panic.] The point being made by user 342390 is that what makes it OK here, but not in the case of the dog, is that one has no control over it; the state is thrust upon one.
– Philip Wood
48 mins ago
I'm having a sandwich, a think, a quick drink, a party,... All of these are under my control.
– TonyK
18 mins ago
I'm having a sandwich, a think, a quick drink, a party,... All of these are under my control.
– TonyK
18 mins ago
add a comment |
Because you can say "I am playing guitar", but you can't say "I am having a dog". (Please, no irrelevant comments about eating hot dogs.)
answered 3 hours ago
TonyKTonyK
1,984310
You can't say "I am playing guitar" and you can say "I am having a dog". While it may be a localism to some places, countable singular nouns need determiners. As for "I am having a dog", having refers to eating, so it's grammatical, much like I am having a milkshake is.
– Lordology
3 hours ago
1
@Lordology: "I am playing guitar" is perfectly acceptable, as Google Ngram Viewer attests. As for "I am having a dog": I did ask you to leave hot dogs out of this, but you seem to have ignored my request. Oh well.
– TonyK
3 hours ago
I don't care. Whether you are or aren't "allowed" to mention hot dogs, you can't avoid the fact it's grammatical.
– Lordology
3 hours ago
1
@Lordology how many people do you know have been eating only one type of food, continuously or intermittently since they were six years of age? This has nothing to do with dietary preferences. The OP is clearly asking about owning a pet dog.
– Mari-Lou A
3 hours ago
3
@Lordology - Please explain why You can't say "I am playing guitar"!!!
– Hot Licks
2 hours ago
|
show 10 more comments
Because you can say "I am playing guitar", but you can't say "I am having a dog". (Please, no irrelevant comments about eating hot dogs.)
answered 3 hours ago
TonyKTonyK
1,984310
You can't say "I am playing guitar" and you can say "I am having a dog". While it may be a localism to some places, countable singular nouns need determiners. As for "I am having a dog", having refers to eating, so it's grammatical, much like I am having a milkshake is.
– Lordology
3 hours ago
1
@Lordology: "I am playing guitar" is perfectly acceptable, as Google Ngram Viewer attests. As for "I am having a dog": I did ask you to leave hot dogs out of this, but you seem to have ignored my request. Oh well.
– TonyK
3 hours ago
I don't care. Whether you are or aren't "allowed" to mention hot dogs, you can't avoid the fact it's grammatical.
– Lordology
3 hours ago
1
@Lordology how many people do you know have been eating only one type of food, continuously or intermittently since they were six years of age? This has nothing to do with dietary preferences. The OP is clearly asking about owning a pet dog.
– Mari-Lou A
3 hours ago
3
@Lordology - Please explain why You can't say "I am playing guitar"!!!
– Hot Licks
2 hours ago
|
show 10 more comments
Because you can say "I am playing guitar", but you can't say "I am having a dog". (Please, no irrelevant comments about eating hot dogs.)
answered 3 hours ago
TonyKTonyK
1,984310
Because you can say "I am playing guitar", but you can't say "I am having a dog". (Please, no irrelevant comments about eating hot dogs.)
answered 3 hours ago
TonyKTonyK
1,984310
answered 3 hours ago
TonyKTonyK
1,984310
answered 3 hours ago
TonyKTonyK
1,984310
answered 3 hours ago
TonyKTonyK
1,984310
1,984310
You can't say "I am playing guitar" and you can say "I am having a dog". While it may be a localism to some places, countable singular nouns need determiners. As for "I am having a dog", having refers to eating, so it's grammatical, much like I am having a milkshake is.
– Lordology
3 hours ago
1
@Lordology: "I am playing guitar" is perfectly acceptable, as Google Ngram Viewer attests. As for "I am having a dog": I did ask you to leave hot dogs out of this, but you seem to have ignored my request. Oh well.
– TonyK
3 hours ago
I don't care. Whether you are or aren't "allowed" to mention hot dogs, you can't avoid the fact it's grammatical.
– Lordology
3 hours ago
1
@Lordology how many people do you know have been eating only one type of food, continuously or intermittently since they were six years of age? This has nothing to do with dietary preferences. The OP is clearly asking about owning a pet dog.
– Mari-Lou A
3 hours ago
3
@Lordology - Please explain why You can't say "I am playing guitar"!!!
– Hot Licks
2 hours ago
|
show 10 more comments
You can't say "I am playing guitar" and you can say "I am having a dog". While it may be a localism to some places, countable singular nouns need determiners. As for "I am having a dog", having refers to eating, so it's grammatical, much like I am having a milkshake is.
– Lordology
3 hours ago
1
@Lordology: "I am playing guitar" is perfectly acceptable, as Google Ngram Viewer attests. As for "I am having a dog": I did ask you to leave hot dogs out of this, but you seem to have ignored my request. Oh well.
– TonyK
3 hours ago
I don't care. Whether you are or aren't "allowed" to mention hot dogs, you can't avoid the fact it's grammatical.
– Lordology
3 hours ago
1
@Lordology how many people do you know have been eating only one type of food, continuously or intermittently since they were six years of age? This has nothing to do with dietary preferences. The OP is clearly asking about owning a pet dog.
– Mari-Lou A
3 hours ago
3
@Lordology - Please explain why You can't say "I am playing guitar"!!!
– Hot Licks
2 hours ago
You can't say "I am playing guitar" and you can say "I am having a dog". While it may be a localism to some places, countable singular nouns need determiners. As for "I am having a dog", having refers to eating, so it's grammatical, much like I am having a milkshake is.
– Lordology
3 hours ago
You can't say "I am playing guitar" and you can say "I am having a dog". While it may be a localism to some places, countable singular nouns need determiners. As for "I am having a dog", having refers to eating, so it's grammatical, much like I am having a milkshake is.
– Lordology
3 hours ago
1
1
@Lordology: "I am playing guitar" is perfectly acceptable, as Google Ngram Viewer attests. As for "I am having a dog": I did ask you to leave hot dogs out of this, but you seem to have ignored my request. Oh well.
– TonyK
3 hours ago
@Lordology: "I am playing guitar" is perfectly acceptable, as Google Ngram Viewer attests. As for "I am having a dog": I did ask you to leave hot dogs out of this, but you seem to have ignored my request. Oh well.
– TonyK
3 hours ago
I don't care. Whether you are or aren't "allowed" to mention hot dogs, you can't avoid the fact it's grammatical.
– Lordology
3 hours ago
I don't care. Whether you are or aren't "allowed" to mention hot dogs, you can't avoid the fact it's grammatical.
– Lordology
3 hours ago
1
1
@Lordology how many people do you know have been eating only one type of food, continuously or intermittently since they were six years of age? This has nothing to do with dietary preferences. The OP is clearly asking about owning a pet dog.
– Mari-Lou A
3 hours ago
@Lordology how many people do you know have been eating only one type of food, continuously or intermittently since they were six years of age? This has nothing to do with dietary preferences. The OP is clearly asking about owning a pet dog.
– Mari-Lou A
3 hours ago
3
3
@Lordology - Please explain why You can't say "I am playing guitar"!!!
– Hot Licks
2 hours ago
@Lordology - Please explain why You can't say "I am playing guitar"!!!
– Hot Licks
2 hours ago
|
show 10 more comments
Hannah is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Hannah is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Hannah is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Hannah is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Thanks for contributing an answer to English Language & Usage Stack Exchange!
- Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!
But avoid …
- Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.
- Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.
To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fenglish.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f492185%2fwhy-cant-we-say-i-have-been-having-a-dog%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
3
"Having", in that sense, implies repeated actions rather than a continuous action. "I have been having a hot dog for breakfast since I was 6."
– Hot Licks
4 hours ago
[Why can't we say or why don't we say]
– Lambie
3 hours ago
1
The right question is not "Why can't we say" etc. because you can say anything you like. The question is what does it mean when I say A or B.
– Lambie
3 hours ago
@TonyK enough. I will bring this to moderator attention and see this through. You do not go around putting people down and using language some would consider bullying. Delete the comment now or I will raise this.
– Lordology
3 hours ago
@TonyK I have. I have alerted the moderators and flagged this as abuse. Who do you think you are? This is unacceptable!
– Lordology
3 hours ago