Page 187 - Basic English Usage
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3. sinceand for
We often use the present perfect progressive with since or for, to say
how long something has been going on.
It’s been raining non-stop since Monday.
It’s been raining non-stop for three days.
We've been living here since July.
We’ve been living here for two months.
We use since when we mention the beginning of the period (for example
Monday, July).
We use for when we mention the /ength of the period (for example three
days; two months).
For the differences between since, for, from and ago, see 133.
Present perfect simple and progressive
We can use both the present perfect simple and the present perfect
progressive to talk about actions and situations which started in the past
and which still continue.
We prefer the present perfect progressive for more temporary actions
and situations; when we talk about more permanent (long-lasting)
situations, we prefer the present perfect simple. Compare:
That man’s been standing on the corner all day.
For 900 years, the castle has stood on the hill above the village.
‘ | haven’t been working very well recently.
. He hasn’t worked for years.
I’ve been living in Sally's flat
for the last month.
PAST
—{now }—»=
tL J
q
My parents have lived in Bristol all their lives.
Some verbs are not used in progressive forms (see 225).
I’ve only known her for two days.
(NOT ve-only been knowing her .. .)
?’ve had a cold since Monday. (NOT #vebeerhaving .. . )
Present perfect progressive and present
To say how long something has been going on, we can use the present
perfect progressive, but not the present.
’ve been working since six this morning. (NOT +am-werking ...)
She’s been learning English for six years.
(NOT Shetearns-Engistter ...)
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