Page 25 - Advanced English Grammar in Use

nave
(i
oeen
uuiny;
регтест coniinuous
Present pertect Continuous (1 Nave been uuiny)
Present
present perfect (I have done)
and present perfect (I have done)
and
use of the present perfect continuous and the present perfect:
Д Compare the use of the present perfect continuous and the present perfect:
Compare the

The guests have been arriving since about Mark and Helena have arrived - they're in
• ¢ The guests have been arriving since about • * Mark and Helena have arrived - they're in
o'clock. the sitting room.
6 6 o'clock. the sitting room.
Since the operation two months ago, Joe I have learnt a lot about painting from
• * Since the operation two months ago, Joe • ¢ Thave learnt a lot about painting from
has been learning to walk again. He can Paul.
Paul.
has been learning to walk again. He can
steps unaided.
already take two or three
already take two or three steps unaided.
We have driven all the way here without a
She's been driving for 3 years now. • ° We have driven all the way here withouta
• ¢
She's been driving for 3 years now.
break.
break.

We use both the present perfect continuous and the present perfect to talk about something that
We use both the present perfect continuous and the present perfect to talk about something that
in the past and which affects the situation that exists now. The difference is that the
started in the past and which affects the situation that exists now. The difference is that the
started
perfect continuous focuses on the activity or event which may or may not be finished. The
present
present perfect continuous focuses on the activity or event which may or may not be finished. The
however, focuses on the effect of the activity or event, or the fact that something
present perfect,
present perfect, however, focuses on the effect of the activity or event, or the fact that something
been achieved.
has been achieved.
has
is simply one of emphasis (see also Unit 10B):
Sometimes the difference between them
Sometimes the difference between them is simply one of emphasis (see also Unit 10B):
following their discussions with great interest, (emphasises the activity; that is, my
I've been following their discussions with greatinterest. (emphasises the activity; that is, my
• * I've been
their discussions)
following
following their discussions)
(emphasises the result; I may now react to
I've followed their discussions with greatinterest.
• * I've followed their discussions with great interest, (emphasises the result; I may now react to
was said or decided)
what was said or decided)
what
В We can use either the present perfect continuous or the present perfect to talk about activities or
We can use either the present perfect continuous or the present perfect to talk about activities or
events that are repeated again and again until now:
events that are repeated again and again until now:
Joseph has been kicking a football against the wall all afternoon, (or ...has kicked...)
• * Joseph has been kicking a football against the wall allafternoon. (or ...has kicked...)
The press has been calling for her resignation for several weeks, (or ...has called...)
• * The press has been calling for her resignation for severalweeks. (or...has called...)
if we mention the number of times the activity or event was repeated, we use the
However,
However, if we mention the number of times the activity or event was repeated, we use the
present perfect rather than the present perfect continuous:
present perfect rather than the present perfect continuous:
I've bumped into Susan 3 times this week.
2 • * I've bumped into Susan 3 times this week.
has played for the national team in 65 matches so far.
• * He has played for the national team in 65 matches so far.
He
use the present perfect rather than the present perfect continuous when we talk about long-
We
We use the present perfect rather than the present perfect continuous when we talk about long-
or when we want to emphasise that we are talking about the
lasting or permanent situations,
lasting or permanent situations, or when we want to emphasise that we are talking about the
until the present
(see
whole of a period of time until the present (see also Unit 5D):
Unit
5D):
also
whole of a period of time
I have always admired Chester's work.
9 • ¢ [have always admired Chester's work.
the most delicious oranges I've ever eaten.
• * They are the most delicious oranges I've ever eaten.
They are
often use either the present perfect
When we talk about more temporary situations we can
When we talk about more temporary situations we can often use either the present perfect
continuous or the present perfect:
continuous or the present perfect:
'Where's Dr Owen's office?' 'Sorry, I don't know. I've only worked / I've only been working
• * here for a couple of days.’ over a period of time up to now, and
"Where's Dr Owen's office?’ ‘Sorry, I don't know. I've only worked / I've only been working
However, if we talk about a specific change over a period of time which ends now, particularly to
couple
a
of days.'
for
here
When we want to emphasise that a situation has changed over a period of time up to now, and
When we want to emphasise that a situation has changed
may continue to change, we prefer the present perfect continuous to the present perfect:
may continue to change, we prefer the present perfect continuous to the present perfect:
problem
been getting worse
over the
has
last
pollution
decade.
The
• *
The pollution problem has been getting worse over the last decade.
Sales have been increasing for some time.
• *
Sales have been increasing for some time.
a
over
period of time which ends now,
a
specific change
if we talk about
particularly to
However,
use
present perfect:
the
change
on
(see A),
result of this
the
we
focus
focus on the result of this change (see A), we use the present perfect:
Prices have decreased by 7%. {= in a period up to now)
• ¢
Prices have decreased by 7%. {= in a period up to now)
42
million
to
today.
from
million
35
1950
has
in
grown
• *
The population
The population has grown from 35 million in 1950 to 42 million today.
continuous
Present
perfect
1 Д
=>
Present perfectand past smple =
Present perfect and past simple = QTIIREREF © Present perfect continuous — Miia