Present Perfect Continuous + Simple - Part 2

TODAY'S LESSON IS

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS + SIMPLE -PART 2

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS + SIMPLE

Carol and Pete are married. They got married exactly 10 years ago, so today is their 10th wedding anniversary. They have been married for 10 years. We say: They are married – present But we ask: How long have they been married? (present perfect) | not: How long are they married? They have been married for 10 years (not they are married for 10 years).

We use the present perfect to talk about something that began in the past and still continues now. Compare the present and the present perfect:

- He has been in the hospital since Sunday. (not Bruce is in the hospital since Sunday) - Have you known each other for a long time? (not Do you know) - I’ve been waiting all day. - How long have you had your car?

- Bruce is in the hospital - Do you know each other well? - I’m waiting for Eliza - Do you have a car?

BUT

I have known / had / lived etc. is the present perfect simple. I have been learning / been waiting /been doing etc. is the present perfect continuous.

When we ask or say “how long”, the continuous is more usual:- I’ve been learning to cook for two months. - It’s been raining since yesterday. - Rachel has been working with us for 5 years. - How long have you been studying here?

I have known / had / lived etc. is the present perfect simple. I have been learning / been waiting /been doing etc. is the present perfect continuous.

Some verbs (for example know/like/believe) are not normally used in the continuous: - How long have you known each other? - I’ve had a pain in my back since yesterday. (not I’ve been having)

You can use either the present perfect continuous or simple with live and work:

- Jake has been living / has lived in New York for a long time. - How long has she been working / has she worked here? But we use the simple (I’ve lived / I’ve done) with always: - I’ve always lived in the city. (not always been living) We say “I haven’t done something since/for …” (present perfect simple): - I haven’t seen Tiff since last week (= last week was the last time I saw her) - Scot hasn’t phoned for ages. (= the last time he phoned was ages ago)