These days

English grammar questions, answered by Alan

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Rustamsher
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These days

Post by Rustamsher »

Recently I took a test on one of the sites of the Net and I am unsure of the key of one test.
Please, help me with the accurate answer.

You look pale. You ... too hard these days.

(a) work
(b) are working
(c) have been working

The key (c) is given as a correct answer, but many grammar books 'say' that
the expression "these days" is mainly used with the present progressive.
Can the present perfect continous be used with this expression?
Please help me with this point.
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Alan
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Re: These days

Post by Alan »

The answer key is wrong!

Unlike 'recently', which combines with perfective tenses, 'these days' is indeed used with the present tense.
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