Hi,
1. This building, which has been built for nine years, will be the tallest in our city.
2. This building, __ (being built/built/ having been built ) for nine years will be the tallest in our city.
I made the sentence (1). I want to know which of (2) is the correct non-finite form corresponding to the relative clause.
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Hi, Robby zhu—What do you mean by saying that the building has been built for nine years? Do you mean that it has been being built for the last nine years and has not yet been finished? Or do you mean that the building has been finished and has been built to last for nine years, after which time it will be destroyed?
@David, Moderator posted:Do you mean that it has been being built for the last nine years and has not yet been finished?
This is what I mean to say. I thought "being" can sometimes be dropped by virtue of "been being" being difficult to pronounce.
So if this is the intended meaning, which form should I choose for (2)?
@Robby zhu posted:This is what I mean to say. I thought "being" can sometimes be dropped by virtue of "been being" being difficult to pronounce.
In order to have the progressive, you must use the progressive. (1) is incorrect.
@Robby zhu posted:So if this is the intended meaning, which form should I choose for (2)?
It's a mistake to try to reduce the clause. Write the clause correctly and let it be.
@David, Moderator posted:In order to have the progressive, you must use the progressive. (1) is incorrect.
It's a mistake to try to reduce the clause. Write the clause correctly and let it be.
Thank you.
No wonder I found the sentence would be odd either way.
