Unit Present perfect continuous and simple

10 (I have been doing and I have done)

A Compare these two situations:

I’ve been painting

my bedroom.
I’ve painted my bedroom.

There is paint on Kate’s clothes. The bedroom was green. Now it is yellow.
She has been painting her bedroom. She has painted her bedroom.
has been painting is the present perfect has painted is the present perfect simple.
continuous.
Here, the important thing is that something has
We are thinking of the activity. It does not matter been finished. ‘She has painted’ is a completed
whether it has been finished or not. In this action. We are thinking about the result of
example, the activity (painting the bedroom) has the activity (the painted bedroom), not the
not been finished. activity itself.

B Compare these examples:

My hands are very dirty. I’ve been My bike is OK again now. I’ve repaired
repairing my bike. it. (= I’ve finished repairing it)
Joe has been eating too much recently. Somebody has eaten all the chocolates.
He should eat less. The box is empty.
It’s nice to see you again. What have you Where’s the book I gave you? What have
been doing since we last met? you done with it?
Where have you been? Have you been Have you ever played tennis?
playing tennis?

C We use the continuous to say how long (for We use the simple to say how much, how many
something that is still happening): or how many times (for completed actions):
How long have you been reading that How many pages of that book have
book? you read?
Amy is writing emails. She’s been writing Amy has sent lots of emails this morning.
emails all morning.
They’ve been playing tennis since 2 o’clock. They’ve played tennis three times this
week.
I’m learning Arabic, but I haven’t been I’m learning Arabic, but I haven’t learnt
learning it very long. very much yet.

D Some verbs (for example, know) are not normally used in continuous forms (be + -ing):
I’ve known about the problem for a long time. (not I’ve been knowing)
How long have you had that camera? (not have you been having)
For a list of these verbs, see Unit 4A. For have, see Unit 17.
But note that you can use want and mean in the present perfect continuous (have/has been + -ing):
I’ve been meaning to phone Anna, but I keep forgetting.

Present perfect simple ➜ Units 7–8 Present perfect continuous ➜ Unit 9

20 Present perfect + for/since ➜ Units 11–12
 Unit
Exercises 10
10.1 Read the situation and complete the sentences. Use the verbs in brackets.
1 Tom started reading a book two hours ago. He is still reading it and now he is on page 53.
He has been reading for two hours. (read)
He has read 53 pages so far. (read)
2 Rachel is from Australia. She is travelling round Europe. She began her trip three months ago.
She for three months. (travel)
six countries so far. (visit)
3 Patrick is a tennis player. He began playing tennis when he was 10 years old. This year he won the national
championship again – for the fourth time.
the national championship four times. (win)
since he was ten. (play)
4 When they left college, Lisa and Sue started making films together. They still make films.
They films since they left college. (make)
five films since they left college. (make)

10.2 Ask questions using the words in brackets. Use the present perfect simple (have/has done) or
continuous (have/has been doing).
1 You have a friend who is learning Arabic. You ask:
(how long / learn / Arabic?) How long have you been learning Arabic?
2 You have just arrived to meet a friend. She is waiting for you. You ask:
(wait / long?) Have
3 You see somebody fishing by the river. You ask:
(catch / any fish?)
4 Some friends of yours are having a party next week. You ask:
(how many people / invite?)
5 A friend of yours is a teacher. You ask:
(how long / teach?)
6 You meet somebody who is a writer. You ask:
(how many books / write?)
(how long / write / books?)
7 A friend of yours is saving money to go on a world trip. You ask:
(how long / save?)
(how much money / save?)

10.3 Put the verb into the present perfect simple or continuous.
1 Where have you been? Have you been playing (you / play) tennis?
2 Look! (somebody / break) that window.
3 You look tired. (you / work) hard?
4 ‘ (you / ever / work) in a factory?’ ‘No, never.’
5 Where’s Lisa? Where (she / go)?
6 This is a very old book. (I / have) it since I was a child.
7 ‘Have you been busy?’ ‘No, (I / watch) TV.’
8 My brother is an actor. (he / appear) in several films.
9 ‘Sorry I’m late.’ ‘That’s all right. (I / not / wait) long.’
10 Are you OK? You look as if (you / cry).
11 ‘Is it still raining?’ ‘No, (it / stop).’
12 The children are tired now. (they / play) in the garden.
13 (I / lose) my phone. (you / see) it?
14 (I / read) the book you lent me, but
(I / not / finish) it yet. It’s really interesting.
15 (I / read) the book you lent me, so you can have it back now.

21
Unit
11 how long have you (been) … ?
A Study this example situation:

Dan and Kate are married. They got married exactly

20 years ago, so today is their 20th wedding anniversary.
They have been married for 20 years.
We say: They are married. (present)
but How long have they been married?
(not How long are they married?)
They have been married for 20 years. (present perfect)
(not They are married for 20 years)

We use the present perfect to talk about something that began in the past and still
present
continues now.
he is
Compare the present and present perfect:
we know
Paul is in hospital.
do they have
but He’s been in hospital since Monday. (= He has been …)
she is waiting
(not Paul is in hospital since Monday)
We know each other very well.
present perfect
but We’ve known each other for a long time.
he has been
(not We know)
we have known
Do they have a car? have they had
but How long have they had their car? she has been waiting
She’s waiting for somebody.
but She hasn’t been waiting very long. past now

B I’ve known / I’ve had / I’ve lived etc. is the present perfect simple.
I’ve been learning / I’ve been waiting etc. is the present perfect continuous.
When we ask or say ‘how long’, the continuous is more usual (see Unit 10):
I’ve been learning English since January.
It’s been raining all morning.
Richard has been doing the same job for 20 years.
‘How long have you been driving?’ ‘Since I was 17.’
Some verbs (for example, know and like) are not normally used in the continuous:
How long have you known Jane? (not have you been knowing)
I’ve had these shoes for ages. (not I’ve been having)
See also Units 4A and 10C. For have, see Unit 17.

C You can use either the continuous or simple with live and work:
Julia has been living in this house for a long time. or Julia has lived …
How long have you been working here? or How long have you worked here?
But we use the simple (have lived etc.) with always:
I’ve always lived in the country. (not always been living)

D We say ‘I haven’t (done something) since/for …’ ( present perfect simple):

I haven’t seen Tom since Monday. (= Monday was the last time I saw him)
Sarah hasn’t phoned for ages. (= the last time she phoned was ages ago)

22 I haven’t … since/for ➜ Unit 8B Present perfect continuous ➜ Units 9–10 for and since ➜ Unit 12A
 Unit
Exercises 11
11.1 Which is right?
1 Ben is a friend of mine. I know / I’ve known him very well. (I know is correct)
2 I like your house. How long do you live / have you lived here?
3 You’ll need an umbrella if you go out now. It’s raining / It’s been raining.
4 The weather is / has been awful since I arrived here.
5 I’m sorry I’m late. Are you waiting / Have you been waiting long?
6 We’ve moved. We’re living / We’ve been living in New Street now.
7 I met Maria only recently. I don’t know / I haven’t known her very long.
8 Lisa is in Germany. She’s / She’s been there on a business trip.
9 That’s a very old bike. How long do you have / have you had it?
10 I’m not feeling good. I’m feeling / I’ve been feeling ill all day.

11.2 Read the situations and write questions using the words in brackets.
1 A friend tells you that Paul is in hospital. You ask him:
(how long / Paul / hospital?) How long has Paul been in hospital?
2 You know that Jane is a good friend of Katherine’s. You ask Jane:
(how long / you / know / Katherine?)
3 Your friend’s sister went to Australia some time ago and she’s still there. You ask your friend:
(how long / sister / in Australia?)
4 You meet a woman who tells you that she teaches English. You ask her:
(how long / you / teach / English?)

5 Tom always wears the same jacket. It’s very old. You ask him:
(how long / you / have / that jacket?)
6 You are talking to a friend about Joe, who now works at the airport. You ask your friend:
(how long / Joe / work / airport?)

7 You meet somebody on a plane. She says that she lives in Chicago. You ask her:
(you / always / live / in Chicago?)

11.3 Complete B’s answers to A’s questions.

A B

1 Paul is in hospital, isn’t he? Yes, he has been in hospital since Monday.
2 Do you see Lisa very often? No, I haven’t seen her for three months.
3 Is Paul married? Yes, he married for ten years.
4 Is Amy married? Yes, she married to a German guy.
5 Do you still play tennis? No, I tennis for years.
6 Are you waiting for the bus? Yes, I for about 20 minutes.
7 You know Mel, don’t you? Yes, we each other a long time.
8 Jack is never ill, is he? No, he ill since I’ve known him.
9 Martin lives in Italy, doesn’t he? Yes, he in Milan.
10 Sue lives in Berlin, doesn’t she? Yes, she in Berlin for many years.
11 Is Joe watching TV? Yes, he TV all evening.
12 Do you watch TV a lot? No, I TV since last weekend.
13 Do you have a headache? Yes, I a headache all morning.
14 Do you go to the cinema a lot? No, I to the cinema for ages.
15 Would you like to go to New York Yes, I to go to New York.
one day? (use always / want)

23
Unit
12 for and since when … ? and how long … ?
A We use for and since to say how long something has been happening.

We use for + a period of time: We use since + the start of a period:

We’ve been waiting for two hours. We’ve been waiting since 8 o’clock.

for two hours since 8 o’clock

two hours ago now 8 o’clock now

for since
two hours a long time a week 8 o’clock April lunchtime
20 minutes six months ages Monday 2001 we arrived
five days 50 years years 12 May Christmas I got up
Sally has been working here for six Sally has been working here since
months. (not since six months) April. (= from April until now)
I haven’t seen Tom for three days. I haven’t seen Tom since Monday.

B We often leave out for (but not usually in negative sentences):

They’ve been married for ten years. or They’ve been married ten years.
They haven’t had a holiday for ten years. (you need for)
You can use in instead of for in negative sentences (I haven’t … etc.):
They haven’t had a holiday in ten years. (= for ten years)
We do not use for + all … (all day / all my life etc.):
I’ve lived here all my life. (not for all my life)

C Compare when … ? (+ past simple) and how long … ? (+ present perfect):

A: When did it start raining?

B: It started raining an hour ago / at 1 o’clock.
A: How long has it been raining?
B: It’s been raining for an hour / since 1 o’clock.

A: When did Joe and Kate first meet?

⎧ a long time ago.
B: They first met ⎨
⎩ when they were at school.
A: How long have they known each other?
⎧
B: They’ve known each other ⎨ for a long time.
⎩ since they were at school.

D We say: it’s (= it is) a long time

since something happened
or it’s been (= it has been) six months (etc.)

It’s two years since I last saw Joe. or It’s been two years since …
(= I haven’t seen Joe for two years)
It’s ages since we went to the cinema. or It’s been ages since …
(= We haven’t been to the cinema for ages)
How long is it since Mrs Hill died? or How long has it been since …
(= when did she die?)

24 How long have you (been) … ? ➜ Unit 11

 Unit
Exercises 12
12.1 Write for or since.
1 It’s been raining since lunchtime.
2 Paul has lived in Brazil ten years.
3 I’m tired of waiting. We’ve been sitting here an hour.
4 Kevin has been looking for a job he left school.
5 I haven’t been to a party ages.
6 I wonder where Joe is. I haven’t seen him last week.
7 Jane is away on holiday. She’s been away Friday.
8 The weather is dry. It hasn’t rained a few weeks.
12.2 Look at each answer and choose the right question.
1 How long have they been married ?
Ten years ago.
When did they get married?
(When did they get married? is correct)
2 How long have you had this car?
About five years.
When did you buy this car?

3 How long have you been waiting?

Only a few minutes.
When did you get here?

4 How long have you been doing your course?

September.
When did your course start?

5 How long has Anna been in London?

Last week.
When did Anna arrive in London?

6 How long have you known each other?

A long time.
When did you first meet each other?

12.3 Read the situations and complete the sentences.

1 It’s raining. It’s been raining since lunchtime. It started raining at lunchtime.
2 Ann and Jess are friends. They first met years ago. They’ve known each other for years.
3 Mark is unwell. He became ill on Sunday. He has Sunday.
4 Sarah is married. She’s been married for a year. She got .
5 You have a headache. It started when you woke up.
I’ve I woke up.
6 Sue is in a meeting at work. It’s been going on since 9 o’clock.
The meeting at 9 o’clock.
7 You’re working in a hotel. You started working there six months ago.
I’ve been .
8 Kate is learning Japanese. She’s been doing this for a long time.
Kate started .
12.4 Complete B’s sentences.
A B

1 Do you often go on holiday? No, I haven’t had a holiday for five years.
2 Have you seen Lisa recently? No, I about a month.
3 Do you still go swimming regularly? No, I a long time.
4 Do you still ride a bike these days? No, I ages.

Now write B’s answers again. This time use It’s . . . since . . . .
5 (1) No, it’s five years since I last had a holiday.
6 (2) No, it’s
7 (3) No,
8 (4)
25
 Key to Exercises

9.4 UNIT 11 12.3

2 I’ve been looking / I have been 3 He has been ill/unwell since Sunday.
11.1
looking 4 She got married a year ago.
2 have you lived
3 are you looking 5 I’ve had a headache since I woke up.
3 It’s raining
4 She’s been teaching / She has 6 The meeting started/began at
4 has been
been teaching 9 o’clock.
5 Have you been waiting
5 I’ve been thinking / I have 7 I’ve been working in a hotel for six
6 We’re living
been thinking months. / I’ve been working there …
7 I haven’t known
6 he’s working / he is working 8 Kate started learning Japanese a
8 She’s
7 She’s been working / She has long time ago.
9 have you had
been working
10 I’ve been feeling 12.4
8 you’re driving / you are driving
2 No, I haven’t seen Lisa/her
9 has been travelling 11.2
for about a month.
2 How long have you known
3 No, I haven’t been swimming for a
UNIT 10 Katherine?
long time.
3 How long has your sister
10.1 4 No, I haven’t ridden a bike for ages.
been in Australia?
2 She’s been travelling / She has been 6 No, it’s about a month since I (last)
4 How long have you been
travelling … saw Lisa/her. or
teaching English? / How long have
She’s visited / She has visited … No, it’s been about a month since …
you taught English?
3 He’s won / He has won … 7 No, it’s a long time since I
5 How long have you had that jacket?
He’s been playing tennis / He has (last) went swimming. or
6 How long has Joe been working
been playing … No, it’s been a long time since …
at the airport? / How long has Joe
4 They’ve been making / They 8 No, it’s ages since I (last) rode a bike.
worked at the airport?
have been making … or No, it’s been ages since …
7 Have you always lived in Chicago?
They’ve made / They have made …
10.2
11.3 UNIT 13
3 ’s been / has been
2 Have you been waiting long? 13.1
4 ’s / is
3 Have you caught any fish? 2 has gone 5 had
5 haven’t played
4 How many people have you invited? 3 forgot 6 has broken
6 ’ve been waiting / have been waiting
5 How long have you been teaching? 4 went
7 ’ve known / have known
6 How many books have you written?
8 hasn’t been 13.2
How long have you been writing
9 lives or ’s living / is living 3 did William Shakespeare write
books?
10 ’s lived / has lived or ’s been living 4 OK
7 How long have you been
/ has been living 5 Who invented
saving (money)?
11 ’s been watching / has been 6 OK
How much money have you saved?
watching 7 We washed
10.3 12 haven’t watched 8 Where were you born?
2 Somebody’s broken / 13 ’ve had / have had 9 OK
Somebody has broken 14 haven’t been 10 Albert Einstein was the scientist who
3 Have you been working 15 ’ve always wanted / have always developed
4 Have you ever worked wanted 13.3
5 has she gone
3 I’ve forgotten / I have forgotten
6 I’ve had / I have had UNIT 12 4 arrested
7 I’ve been watching / I have been
12.1 5 it’s improved / it has improved
watching
2 for (also correct without for) 6 Have you finished
8 He’s appeared / He has appeared
3 for (also correct without for) 7 I applied
9 I haven’t been waiting
4 since 8 It was
10 you’ve been crying / you have
5 for 9 There’s been / There has been
been crying
6 since 10 did you find … It was
11 it’s stopped / it has stopped
7 since 11 He’s / He has broken … or He
12 They’ve been playing / They
8 for broke … did that happen … He fell
have been playing
13 I’ve lost / I have lost … Have 12.2
2 How long have you had this car?
UNIT 14
you seen
14 I’ve been reading / I have been 3 How long have you been waiting? 14.1
reading … I haven’t finished 4 When did your course start? 3 OK
15 I’ve read / I have read 5 When did Anna arrive in London? 4 I bought
6 How long have you known each 5 Where were you
other? 6 Maria left school
7 OK
8 OK
9 OK
10 When was this bridge built?

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