英语中，动词按其动作发生的方式、动作发生过程的长短，可分为延续性动词和非延续性动词。

延续性动词表示能够延续的动作，这种动作可以延续下去或产生持久影响。如：learn, work, stand, lie, know, walk, keep, have, wait, watch, sing, read, sleep, live, stay等。

He worked all day in the fields. 他在地里干了一天。

I waited for you for an hour. 我等你等了一个钟头。

He stayed in London for over a month. 他在伦敦待了一个多月。

非延续性动词也称终止性动词、瞬间动词或短暂性动词，表示不能延续的动作，这种动作发生后立即结束。如：open, close, finish, begin, come, go, arrive, reach, get to, leave, move, borrow, buy等。

They reached the village in the afternoon. 下午他们抵达那个村子。

I haven't finished the work yet. 这项工作我还没有干完。

She stood up and left the room. 她站起身走出房去。

无论是延续性动词还是非延续性动词，它们都可以与现在完成时连用。如：

He has lived here for ten 10 years. 他在这里住了10年了。

He has just arrived. 他刚刚到达。

上面两句的谓语都用了现在完成时，但第一句中的动词live是延续性动词，而第二句中的动词arrive为非延续性动词。两者真正不同的是，延续动词根据需要可以连用一段时间，而非延续性动词通常不能连用一段时间，所以第一句中的live可以连用一段时间for ten years，第二句中的arrive则不可以连用类似for ten years这样的一段时间。

由非延续性动词到延续性动词的转换：

arrive→be here

begin(start)→be on

die →be dead

come back→be back

leave →be away from

finish →be over

put on →wear 或be on

open →be open

join →be in或 be a member of…

close →be closed

go to school→be a student

borrow →keep

buy →have

catch(a cold)→ have(a cold)

get to know →know

begin to study→study

come to work→work等

运动会已经开了三天了。

误：The sports meeting has begun for three days.

正：The sports meeting has been on for three days.

他入党10年了。

误：He has joined the Party for 10 years.

正：He has been in the Party for 10 years.

正：He has been a Party member for 10 years.

他死了三年了。

误：He has died for three years.

正：He has been dead for three years.