Simple present vs. present perfect

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Hi, could you please do me a favour and take a look at the sentence below. I think the simple present should be replaced with a present perfect construction. What’s your take on this?

There is a burning desire in my heart to build my own business for more than 20 years.

Wouldn’t it be better to say

For more than 20 years I have wanted to start my own business?[YSaerTTEW443543]

TOEIC listening, photographs: Fast food in South America[YSaerTTEW443543]

2

Hi Torsten

That sentence would be a classic case for using the present perfect.

You could change the tense in the first sentence and leave the burning heart in it: :smiley:

For more than 20 years, there has been a burning desire in my heart to build my own business.

Using the verb want, I also wouldn’t be suprised to hear a native speaker use the continuous form:

I have been wanting to start my own business for more than 20 years.

Amy

3

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Thanks, Amy

I would like to know if you consider the sentence given above a grammatical mistake?

Tom

4

Hey, Tom. :smiley:

Good question. :smiley: Actually, the sentence is grammatically correct – if what the person is trying to say is he/she wants to spend 20+ years building the company.

Amy

5

:lol:

I’ve got a sneaky suspicion that Torsten doesn’t find the expression businesslike enough – too poetic perhaps?

6

Hi Conchita

Yes, I had that same sneaking suspicion. :wink: :lol:

Amy

7

Hi Amy and Conchita,

I like the sentence with the burning heart in it very much and it’s does sound businesslike. You do need a burning desire if you want to get a business off the ground.[YSaerTTEW443543]

TOEIC listening, photographs: After a car accident[YSaerTTEW443543]