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George is doing his homework today. He needs to memorize 30 French words.

Is the verb "memorize" used correctly in the following two sentences?

George has memorized 30 French words for an hour.

George has been memorizing 30 French words for an hour.

In my opinion, George has memorized indicates a completion. So it doesn't go with "for an hour".

On the other hand, George has been memorizing indicates an ongoing activity. It can go with a duration and fits the context, but it doesn't go well with "30 French words". We don't say George has been reading five books for a month, for example. It sounds like George was reading the five books simultaneously. Rather, we'd delete the words "five".

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    Both sound odd, in my opinion. You could say George has memorised 30 French words in the past hour or George has been working for an hour to memorise 30 French words.
    – Kate Bunting
    Jan 8, 2022 at 9:50
  • Thank you. Do you think my understanding in the OP is correct?
    – Stephen
    Jan 8, 2022 at 12:58
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    Yes, I think so.
    – Kate Bunting
    Jan 8, 2022 at 13:42

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