Why cannot we not say “I have been having a dog”? The Next CEO of Stack Overflow“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)have / having something + -en formOne 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”?
Mathematica command that allows it to read my intentions
Calculate the Mean mean of two numbers
How can I separate the number from the unit in argument?
Is the offspring between a demon and a celestial possible? If so what is it called and is it in a book somewhere?
Can I cast Thunderwave and be at the center of its bottom face, but not be affected by it?
Avoiding the "not like other girls" trope?
Can a PhD from a non-TU9 German university become a professor in a TU9 university?
What are the unusually-enlarged wing sections on this P-38 Lightning?
Can this transistor (2n2222) take 6V on emitter-base? Am I reading datasheet incorrectly?
Does Germany produce more waste than the US?
Why do we say “un seul M” and not “une seule M” even though M is a “consonne”?
Car headlights in a world without electricity
Could a dragon use its wings to swim?
Strange use of "whether ... than ..." in official text
Fastest algorithm to decide whether a (always halting) TM accepts a general string
Why does freezing point matter when picking cooler ice packs?
Can Sri Krishna be called 'a person'?
Is it correct to say moon starry nights?
Finitely generated matrix groups whose eigenvalues are all algebraic
Calculating discount not working
Which acid/base does a strong base/acid react when added to a buffer solution?
pgfplots: How to draw a tangent graph below two others?
Shortening a title without changing its meaning
Creating a script with console commands
Why cannot we not say “I have been having a dog”?
The Next CEO of Stack Overflow“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)have / having something + -en formOne 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
asked 3 hours ago
HannahHannah
91
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 3 more comments
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
asked 3 hours ago
HannahHannah
91
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
3 hours ago
1
Too many "nots"... "Why can't we say...?" or "Why can we not say...?"
– Mari-Lou A
2 hours ago
[Why can't we say or why don't we say]
– Lambie
2 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
2 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
2 hours ago
|
show 3 more comments
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
asked 3 hours ago
HannahHannah
91
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
asked 3 hours ago
HannahHannah
91
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 3 hours ago
HannahHannah
91
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 3 hours ago
HannahHannah
91
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 3 hours ago
HannahHannah
91
asked 3 hours ago
HannahHannah
91
91
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
3 hours ago
1
Too many "nots"... "Why can't we say...?" or "Why can we not say...?"
– Mari-Lou A
2 hours ago
[Why can't we say or why don't we say]
– Lambie
2 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
2 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
2 hours ago
|
show 3 more comments
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
3 hours ago
1
Too many "nots"... "Why can't we say...?" or "Why can we not say...?"
– Mari-Lou A
2 hours ago
[Why can't we say or why don't we say]
– Lambie
2 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
2 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
2 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
3 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
3 hours ago
1
1
Too many "nots"... "Why can't we say...?" or "Why can we not say...?"
– Mari-Lou A
2 hours ago
Too many "nots"... "Why can't we say...?" or "Why can we not say...?"
– Mari-Lou A
2 hours ago
[Why can't we say or why don't we say]
– Lambie
2 hours ago
[Why can't we say or why don't we say]
– Lambie
2 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
2 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
2 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
2 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
2 hours ago
|
show 3 more comments
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 1 hour ago
LambieLambie
7,6261933
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
11 mins ago
@AzorAhai I'm having chicken for dinner.
– Lambie
2 mins 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 1 hour ago
Mari-Lou AMari-Lou A
62.4k57224462
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 1 hour 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
1 hour 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 2 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
2 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
2 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
2 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
2 hours ago
2
@Lordology - Please explain why You can't say "I am playing guitar"!!!
– Hot Licks
1 hour ago
|
show 9 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-cannot-we-not-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 1 hour ago
LambieLambie
7,6261933
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
11 mins ago
@AzorAhai I'm having chicken for dinner.
– Lambie
2 mins 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 1 hour ago
LambieLambie
7,6261933
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
11 mins ago
@AzorAhai I'm having chicken for dinner.
– Lambie
2 mins 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 1 hour ago
LambieLambie
7,6261933
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 1 hour ago
LambieLambie
7,6261933
answered 1 hour ago
LambieLambie
7,6261933
answered 1 hour ago
LambieLambie
7,6261933
answered 1 hour ago
LambieLambie
7,6261933
7,6261933
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
11 mins ago
@AzorAhai I'm having chicken for dinner.
– Lambie
2 mins 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
11 mins ago
@AzorAhai I'm having chicken for dinner.
– Lambie
2 mins 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
11 mins 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
11 mins ago
@AzorAhai I'm having chicken for dinner.
– Lambie
2 mins ago
@AzorAhai I'm having chicken for dinner.
– Lambie
2 mins 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 1 hour ago
Mari-Lou AMari-Lou A
62.4k57224462
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 1 hour ago
Mari-Lou AMari-Lou A
62.4k57224462
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 1 hour ago
Mari-Lou AMari-Lou A
62.4k57224462
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 1 hour ago
Mari-Lou AMari-Lou A
62.4k57224462
answered 1 hour ago
Mari-Lou AMari-Lou A
62.4k57224462
answered 1 hour ago
Mari-Lou AMari-Lou A
62.4k57224462
answered 1 hour ago
Mari-Lou AMari-Lou A
62.4k57224462
62.4k57224462
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 1 hour 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
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 1 hour 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
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 1 hour 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 1 hour 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 1 hour ago
answered 1 hour 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 1 hour ago
user342390user342390
212
answered 1 hour 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
1 hour ago
add a comment |
1
I'm afraid this makes no sense at all.
– TonyK
1 hour ago
1
1
I'm afraid this makes no sense at all.
– TonyK
1 hour ago
I'm afraid this makes no sense at all.
– TonyK
1 hour 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 2 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
2 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
2 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
2 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
2 hours ago
2
@Lordology - Please explain why You can't say "I am playing guitar"!!!
– Hot Licks
1 hour ago
|
show 9 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 2 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
2 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
2 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
2 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
2 hours ago
2
@Lordology - Please explain why You can't say "I am playing guitar"!!!
– Hot Licks
1 hour ago
|
show 9 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 2 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 2 hours ago
TonyKTonyK
1,984310
answered 2 hours ago
TonyKTonyK
1,984310
answered 2 hours ago
TonyKTonyK
1,984310
answered 2 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
2 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
2 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
2 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
2 hours ago
2
@Lordology - Please explain why You can't say "I am playing guitar"!!!
– Hot Licks
1 hour ago
|
show 9 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
2 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
2 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
2 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
2 hours ago
2
@Lordology - Please explain why You can't say "I am playing guitar"!!!
– Hot Licks
1 hour 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
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
2 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
2 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
2 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
2 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
2 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
2 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
2 hours ago
2
2
@Lordology - Please explain why You can't say "I am playing guitar"!!!
– Hot Licks
1 hour ago
@Lordology - Please explain why You can't say "I am playing guitar"!!!
– Hot Licks
1 hour ago
|
show 9 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-cannot-we-not-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
3 hours ago
1
Too many "nots"... "Why can't we say...?" or "Why can we not say...?"
– Mari-Lou A
2 hours ago
[Why can't we say or why don't we say]
– Lambie
2 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
2 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
2 hours ago