According to their persistence, verbs can be divided into two categories: continuous verbs and non-continuous verbs (transient verbs).
(1) Continuous verbs
Continuous verbs are verbs that can continue, such as: live, work, lie, stand, sleep, wait, keep, etc. Continuous verbs can be used with a period of time, as in:
Yesterday he waited here for 2 hours. He waited here for two hours yesterday.
I have lived here for 5 years. I have lived here for five years.
They will stay here for 3 hours . They will stay here for three hours.
He sat there until it got dark. He sat there until dark.
The be verb is a common continuous verb, often expressing a state. It can be used in various tenses or with a period of time. Such as:
She will be at home for 2 days. She will stay at home for two days.
They have been married for 30 years. They have been married for 30 years.
(2) Non-continuing verbs (transient verbs)
Non-continuous verbs are verbs that do not continue, and the action can only be performed instantaneously. For example: die, lend, borrow, go, leave, come, finish, begin, buy, arrive, etc.
Non-continuous verbs can be used in the perfect tense, but not in conjunction with a period of time. If they are used with a period of time, they must be converted to the corresponding continuous verb or "be + adj/adv." form.
Here's an example of how to use die and leave:
1. Several usages of die:
His grandpa has died. (√)
His grandpa has died for 3 years. ( X )
His grandpa has been dead for 3 years. (√)
His grandpa died 3 years ago. (√)
2. Several usages of leave:
They have left. (√)
They have left for 2 hours. ( X )
They have been away for 2 hours. (√)
They left 2 hours ago. (√)
