Why can't we say “I have been having a dog”?
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 5 hours ago
W.E.
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asked 9 hours ago
HannahHannah
291
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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 5 hours ago
W.E.
1057
asked 9 hours ago
HannahHannah
291
New contributor
Hannah is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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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
9 hours ago
[Why can't we say or why don't we say]
– Lambie
8 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
8 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
8 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
8 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 5 hours ago
W.E.
1057
asked 9 hours ago
HannahHannah
291
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 5 hours ago
W.E.
1057
asked 9 hours ago
HannahHannah
291
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 5 hours ago
W.E.
1057
asked 9 hours ago
HannahHannah
291
New contributor
Hannah is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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edited 5 hours ago
W.E.
1057
edited 5 hours ago
W.E.
1057
edited 5 hours ago
W.E.
1057
1057
asked 9 hours ago
HannahHannah
291
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 9 hours ago
HannahHannah
291
asked 9 hours ago
HannahHannah
291
291
New contributor
Hannah is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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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.
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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
9 hours ago
[Why can't we say or why don't we say]
– Lambie
8 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
8 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
8 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
8 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
9 hours ago
[Why can't we say or why don't we say]
– Lambie
8 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
8 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
8 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
8 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
9 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
9 hours ago
[Why can't we say or why don't we say]
– Lambie
8 hours ago
[Why can't we say or why don't we say]
– Lambie
8 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
8 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
8 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
8 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
8 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
8 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
8 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 8 hours ago
LambieLambie
7,6661934
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
6 hours ago
@AzorAhai I'm having chicken for dinner.
– Lambie
6 hours ago
Mary had a little lamb ... with mint jelly and red potatoes in a dill and butter sauce.
– IconDaemon
3 hours 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 8 hours ago
Mari-Lou AMari-Lou A
62.5k57224462
"He is having a wife and two children. NO" -- Hmm. But you can say "she is having a child," can't you? Why is that different?
– JoL
3 hours ago
@JoL Well, "having" has multiple senses; the sentence "he has a wife" uses it in a stative sense, while "she is having a child" uses it in a non-stative sense.
– Tanner Swett
1 hour 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 8 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
8 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
6 hours ago
I'm having a sandwich, a think, a quick drink, a party,... All of these are under my control.
– TonyK
5 hours 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 9 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
9 hours ago
2
@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
9 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
8 hours ago
4
@Lordology - Please explain why You can't say "I am playing guitar"!!!
– Hot Licks
8 hours ago
1
@jmoreno - "Guitar" is an activity, like "golf". You wouldn't demand that someone say "play the golf".
– Hot Licks
2 hours ago
|
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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 8 hours ago
LambieLambie
7,6661934
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
6 hours ago
@AzorAhai I'm having chicken for dinner.
– Lambie
6 hours ago
Mary had a little lamb ... with mint jelly and red potatoes in a dill and butter sauce.
– IconDaemon
3 hours 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 8 hours ago
LambieLambie
7,6661934
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
6 hours ago
@AzorAhai I'm having chicken for dinner.
– Lambie
6 hours ago
Mary had a little lamb ... with mint jelly and red potatoes in a dill and butter sauce.
– IconDaemon
3 hours 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 8 hours ago
LambieLambie
7,6661934
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 8 hours ago
LambieLambie
7,6661934
answered 8 hours ago
LambieLambie
7,6661934
answered 8 hours ago
LambieLambie
7,6661934
answered 8 hours ago
LambieLambie
7,6661934
7,6661934
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
6 hours ago
@AzorAhai I'm having chicken for dinner.
– Lambie
6 hours ago
Mary had a little lamb ... with mint jelly and red potatoes in a dill and butter sauce.
– IconDaemon
3 hours 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
6 hours ago
@AzorAhai I'm having chicken for dinner.
– Lambie
6 hours ago
Mary had a little lamb ... with mint jelly and red potatoes in a dill and butter sauce.
– IconDaemon
3 hours 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
6 hours 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
6 hours ago
@AzorAhai I'm having chicken for dinner.
– Lambie
6 hours ago
@AzorAhai I'm having chicken for dinner.
– Lambie
6 hours ago
Mary had a little lamb ... with mint jelly and red potatoes in a dill and butter sauce.
– IconDaemon
3 hours ago
Mary had a little lamb ... with mint jelly and red potatoes in a dill and butter sauce.
– IconDaemon
3 hours 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 8 hours ago
Mari-Lou AMari-Lou A
62.5k57224462
"He is having a wife and two children. NO" -- Hmm. But you can say "she is having a child," can't you? Why is that different?
– JoL
3 hours ago
@JoL Well, "having" has multiple senses; the sentence "he has a wife" uses it in a stative sense, while "she is having a child" uses it in a non-stative sense.
– Tanner Swett
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 8 hours ago
Mari-Lou AMari-Lou A
62.5k57224462
"He is having a wife and two children. NO" -- Hmm. But you can say "she is having a child," can't you? Why is that different?
– JoL
3 hours ago
@JoL Well, "having" has multiple senses; the sentence "he has a wife" uses it in a stative sense, while "she is having a child" uses it in a non-stative sense.
– Tanner Swett
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 8 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 8 hours ago
Mari-Lou AMari-Lou A
62.5k57224462
answered 8 hours ago
Mari-Lou AMari-Lou A
62.5k57224462
answered 8 hours ago
Mari-Lou AMari-Lou A
62.5k57224462
answered 8 hours ago
Mari-Lou AMari-Lou A
62.5k57224462
62.5k57224462
"He is having a wife and two children. NO" -- Hmm. But you can say "she is having a child," can't you? Why is that different?
– JoL
3 hours ago
@JoL Well, "having" has multiple senses; the sentence "he has a wife" uses it in a stative sense, while "she is having a child" uses it in a non-stative sense.
– Tanner Swett
1 hour ago
add a comment |
"He is having a wife and two children. NO" -- Hmm. But you can say "she is having a child," can't you? Why is that different?
– JoL
3 hours ago
@JoL Well, "having" has multiple senses; the sentence "he has a wife" uses it in a stative sense, while "she is having a child" uses it in a non-stative sense.
– Tanner Swett
1 hour ago
"He is having a wife and two children. NO" -- Hmm. But you can say "she is having a child," can't you? Why is that different?
– JoL
3 hours ago
"He is having a wife and two children. NO" -- Hmm. But you can say "she is having a child," can't you? Why is that different?
– JoL
3 hours ago
@JoL Well, "having" has multiple senses; the sentence "he has a wife" uses it in a stative sense, while "she is having a child" uses it in a non-stative sense.
– Tanner Swett
1 hour ago
@JoL Well, "having" has multiple senses; the sentence "he has a wife" uses it in a stative sense, while "she is having a child" uses it in a non-stative sense.
– Tanner Swett
1 hour 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 8 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
8 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
6 hours ago
I'm having a sandwich, a think, a quick drink, a party,... All of these are under my control.
– TonyK
5 hours 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 8 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
8 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
6 hours ago
I'm having a sandwich, a think, a quick drink, a party,... All of these are under my control.
– TonyK
5 hours 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 8 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 8 hours ago
user342390user342390
212
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edited 8 hours ago
answered 8 hours ago
user342390user342390
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answered 8 hours ago
user342390user342390
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answered 8 hours ago
user342390user342390
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1
I'm afraid this makes no sense at all.
– TonyK
8 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
6 hours ago
I'm having a sandwich, a think, a quick drink, a party,... All of these are under my control.
– TonyK
5 hours ago
add a comment |
1
I'm afraid this makes no sense at all.
– TonyK
8 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
6 hours ago
I'm having a sandwich, a think, a quick drink, a party,... All of these are under my control.
– TonyK
5 hours ago
1
1
I'm afraid this makes no sense at all.
– TonyK
8 hours ago
I'm afraid this makes no sense at all.
– TonyK
8 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
6 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
6 hours ago
I'm having a sandwich, a think, a quick drink, a party,... All of these are under my control.
– TonyK
5 hours ago
I'm having a sandwich, a think, a quick drink, a party,... All of these are under my control.
– TonyK
5 hours 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 9 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
9 hours ago
2
@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
9 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
8 hours ago
4
@Lordology - Please explain why You can't say "I am playing guitar"!!!
– Hot Licks
8 hours ago
1
@jmoreno - "Guitar" is an activity, like "golf". You wouldn't demand that someone say "play the golf".
– Hot Licks
2 hours ago
|
show 12 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 9 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
9 hours ago
2
@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
9 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
8 hours ago
4
@Lordology - Please explain why You can't say "I am playing guitar"!!!
– Hot Licks
8 hours ago
1
@jmoreno - "Guitar" is an activity, like "golf". You wouldn't demand that someone say "play the golf".
– Hot Licks
2 hours ago
|
show 12 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 9 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 9 hours ago
TonyKTonyK
1,984310
answered 9 hours ago
TonyKTonyK
1,984310
answered 9 hours ago
TonyKTonyK
1,984310
answered 9 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
9 hours ago
2
@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
9 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
8 hours ago
4
@Lordology - Please explain why You can't say "I am playing guitar"!!!
– Hot Licks
8 hours ago
1
@jmoreno - "Guitar" is an activity, like "golf". You wouldn't demand that someone say "play the golf".
– Hot Licks
2 hours ago
|
show 12 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
9 hours ago
2
@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
9 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
8 hours ago
4
@Lordology - Please explain why You can't say "I am playing guitar"!!!
– Hot Licks
8 hours ago
1
@jmoreno - "Guitar" is an activity, like "golf". You wouldn't demand that someone say "play the golf".
– 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
9 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
9 hours ago
2
2
@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
9 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
9 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
8 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
8 hours ago
4
4
@Lordology - Please explain why You can't say "I am playing guitar"!!!
– Hot Licks
8 hours ago
@Lordology - Please explain why You can't say "I am playing guitar"!!!
– Hot Licks
8 hours ago
1
1
@jmoreno - "Guitar" is an activity, like "golf". You wouldn't demand that someone say "play the golf".
– Hot Licks
2 hours ago
@jmoreno - "Guitar" is an activity, like "golf". You wouldn't demand that someone say "play the golf".
– Hot Licks
2 hours ago
|
show 12 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.
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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
9 hours ago
[Why can't we say or why don't we say]
– Lambie
8 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
8 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
8 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
8 hours ago