More questions about the verb tense tutorial

[Anachronist]

Some more question ;)

1.I (have) the same car for more than ten years. I'm thinking about buying a new one.

It should be "have been having" because he still owns that car, but "have" is a non-continual verb, because it is used in the meaning "to own sth.".

And so: I have had the same car...

Right?

2. Matt and Sarah (have) some difficulties in their relationship lately, so they (go) to a marriage counselor. I hope they work everything out.

The tutorial says the progressive form is right in both cases and I disagree in both cases :) We do not know, wether they still have difficulties or not and we do not know if they are still going to the counselor. At least I interpret the last sentence "I hope they worked everything out." in that way. If the speaking person have used the progressive, the last sentence should be "I hope they will work everything out." because the difficulties are still at hand for sure.

Without knowing that it is an exercise about present perfect simple vs. continuous I would have even used the past tense due to the given information about the time the events took place ("lately"). But I guess "lately" is not enough information to justify the use of the past tense. Or maybe "lately" does not refer to a specific point of time.

I`m mixed up a little here! Please help :)

Jörg

[Rusty]

1.I (have) the same car for more than ten years. I'm thinking about buying a new one.

It should be "have been having" because he still owns that car, but "have" is a non-continual verb, because it is used in the meaning "to own sth.".

And so: I have had the same car...(Right).

Right?

2. Matt and Sarah (have been having /have had) some difficulties in their relationship lately, so they (have been going/have gone) to a marriage counselor. I hope they work everything out.
The first choice (present perfect continuous) tells that their difficulties have continued for some time and are still with them. "Have been going" says that they are meeting with the counselor now and have been for awhile. The outcome of the counseling is unknown at this point. "I hope they work everything out" is the present tense form of the verb, but it indicates the future, as: I hope they will work everything out." The verb, hope, is defined as a feeling that things will turn out for the best. It is a forward-looking verb).
The second choice (present perfect) says that their difficulties happened in the recent past and the effect is still relevent. "So they have gone" says that their visit to the counselor was also in the recent past. This does not allow for any future visits. "I hope they work everything out" is a future hope, which conflicts with the recent past events. If you use the present perfect verbs, the last sentence should be: I hope they have worked everything out").

[Anonymous]

Ok, thank you very much. By and by I get the feeling of understanding the "tenses-thing".

Jörg