Page 187 - Basic English Usage
P. 187

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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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