Intermediate #2 Flashcards
While over there it’s a bit more…
We use over, in this context, to express that something is farther away
I guess the society as a whole, right?
I think the entire society, right?
Don’t you know my age? Take a guess!
I guess… maybe it’s twenty-four?
Present Perfect Continuous
Have/has + been + -ing
It has three conditions:
a) The action started in the past:
b) The action is repeated regularly or it’s continuous:
c) It must still be happening now:
They have been studying since we left the school.
Q: Why is there chocolate everywhere?
A: I’ve been cooking and eating all day.
Why is this in Present Perfect Continuous?
It’s because the action has an effect on the present, and we can clearly see the results of the action in the present (chocolate everywhere).
Another Example:
Q: Why does she look so frustrated?
A: She’s been working very hard on the project.
State verbs must use the present perfect simple.
State verbs do not use the “-ing” form and are not preceded by “been” in the Present Perfect Continuous tense.
Examples of state verbs include: be, believe, understand, like, see, know.
Exception: ‘Want’ can be used in the Present Perfect Continuous tense.
a) I have believed it since day one one.
b) She has known us for years.
c) They have understood everything since the beginning.
d) I’ve been wanting to watch that movie for a long time.
What does Present Perfect Simple tense focus on?
It focuses on result of an action or a life experience.
Result:
a) I have finished my homework.
* Homework is done
b) I have lost my keys.
* No keys now
Life Experience:
a) She has visited Italy.
* She went to Italy
b) He has seen that movie.
* He has the experience
What does Present Perfect Continuous tense focus on?
It focuses on the process or duration of an ongoing action.
Process:
a) I have been studying for three hours.
* Focus on ongoing process
b) I have been reading a book.
* Focus on the action of reading
Duration:
a) She has been working at that company for four years.
* Focus on the duration of her employment.
b) They have been playing soccer for two hours.
* Focus on how long they’ve been playing.
