0

I need to know if this two sentences have different meaning

a) The client has been telling us that the site is likely to be around the Krakow area. B) The client has told us that the site is likely to be around the Krakow area

livresque
  • 3,249
Hannah
  • 1
  • In this context, has been telling means there have been at least two instances of the client saying this; has told means there has been at least one such instance. The continuous here indicates repetition. – John Lawler Aug 26 '20 at 23:42
  • 1
    @JohnLawler Is it not also possible that the client has only just finished talking to the speaker and that the explanation was quite lengthy? That would be analogous to "The client has only just left, he has been telling us about the benefits to the community of the project going ahead". – BoldBen Aug 27 '20 at 00:43
  • Yes, the Hot News sense of the Perfect is also possible. In this case, just could be inserted after has. – John Lawler Aug 27 '20 at 14:56

1 Answers1

0

Has been telling (for some period of time, either continuously or episodically)

Has told us (the telling, no matter when or in what manner, has ended)

Anton
  • 28,634
  • 3
  • 42
  • 81