English Grammar in Use
#Unit-11 How long have you (been)...?
⚡️Further Notes on the differences between the Present Perfect Simple and Present Perfect Continuous Tenses⚡️
♦️(1) When we want to express, ask or tell "how long" or the "time duration" of an action, the Present Perfect Continuous would be more natural:
a - He has been learning English since 2002.
b- They have been watching TV for two hours.
BUT REMEBER:
Some verbs express "state" not "action"; therefore, we use the Present Perfect Simple not the Continuous which "State Verbs" that we have discussed earlier in our course:
a- We have known each other since 2002.
b- I have had a car for two years.
To conclude:
- Dynamic implies change (action)
- Stative implies no change (state)
1. Most verbs in English are dynamic: work, live, eat, etc.
2. A small group of verbs are stative: (know, understand, etc.).
3. Exceptions to the rule: some verbs can be used in a dual sense i.e. a stative or a dynamic sense:
"be": although "be" is generally stative it can have a temporary dynamic sense: My boss is being nasty.
The verb <live> can be used in a stative sense when it means to "stay" or "be alive" i.e. a state: He didn't live to see the realization of his dream. All other meanings are dynamic.
The verb "come" is another example compare:
I come from Germany (stative: I am from Germany)
I am coming from Germany (dynamic: travelling).
It measures four metres. (stative)
He is measuring the car. (dynamic)
4. Sometimes you make a stative verb dynamic to add emphasis only:
I hope she...
I am hoping she.... (dynamic: hope very much).
Final Note:
The verbs "live", "work" and "smoke" are usually said to be treated as stative verbs not actions.
♦️(2) In negative sentences, it's more natural to use the Present Perfect Simple not the Present Perfect Continuous. If you remember, the Present Perfect Simple expresses an action that has started and finished or never happened before. The Continuous expresses an action that has started before now and has been continuing up until now.
So, there is no need to focus on the duration of a verb that is has not happened at all:
- I have not played music before. (correct)
- I have not been playing music before. (unnatural)
https://www.tg-me.com/English_Grammar_in_Use_5th
♦️(1) When we want to express, ask or tell "how long" or the "time duration" of an action, the Present Perfect Continuous would be more natural:
a - He has been learning English since 2002.
b- They have been watching TV for two hours.
BUT REMEBER:
Some verbs express "state" not "action"; therefore, we use the Present Perfect Simple not the Continuous which "State Verbs" that we have discussed earlier in our course:
a- We have known each other since 2002.
b- I have had a car for two years.
To conclude:
- Dynamic implies change (action)
- Stative implies no change (state)
1. Most verbs in English are dynamic: work, live, eat, etc.
2. A small group of verbs are stative: (know, understand, etc.).
3. Exceptions to the rule: some verbs can be used in a dual sense i.e. a stative or a dynamic sense:
"be": although "be" is generally stative it can have a temporary dynamic sense: My boss is being nasty.
The verb <live> can be used in a stative sense when it means to "stay" or "be alive" i.e. a state: He didn't live to see the realization of his dream. All other meanings are dynamic.
The verb "come" is another example compare:
I come from Germany (stative: I am from Germany)
I am coming from Germany (dynamic: travelling).
It measures four metres. (stative)
He is measuring the car. (dynamic)
4. Sometimes you make a stative verb dynamic to add emphasis only:
I hope she...
I am hoping she.... (dynamic: hope very much).
Final Note:
The verbs "live", "work" and "smoke" are usually said to be treated as stative verbs not actions.
♦️(2) In negative sentences, it's more natural to use the Present Perfect Simple not the Present Perfect Continuous. If you remember, the Present Perfect Simple expresses an action that has started and finished or never happened before. The Continuous expresses an action that has started before now and has been continuing up until now.
So, there is no need to focus on the duration of a verb that is has not happened at all:
- I have not played music before. (correct)
- I have not been playing music before. (unnatural)
https://www.tg-me.com/English_Grammar_in_Use_5th
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⚡️Further Notes on the differences between For and Since⚡️
The use of FOR
We use "For" when we measure the duration – when we say how long something lasts.
For + the length of a period of time
♦️To measure a period of time up to the present, we use the present perfect tense and not the present tense.
- I have known her for a long time. (Correct)
- I know her for a long time. (Incorrect)
- I have lived here for ten years. (Correct)
- I live here for ten years. (Incorrect)
♦️Notice: The present tense with "For" refers to a period of time that extends into the future.
- How long are you here for? (Until when in the future)
- How long have you been here for? (Since when in the past)
♦️Notice: In reality, we can use all verb tenses with "For":
- They exercise for two hours every day. (Simple Present)
- They are exercising for three hours today. (Present Continuous)
- He has lived in Moscow for a long time. (Present Perfect)
- He has been living in Turin for three months. (Present Perfect Continuous)
- I worked at the service station for five years. (Simple Past)
- He will be in hospital for at least a week. (Simple Future)
The use of SINCE
♦️"Since" gives the starting point of actions, events or states. It refers to when things began. After "since" you always see a Simple Past time marker (not a length of a period of time).
- She has been watching TV for three hours. ("three hours" is not a simple past time marker. It is a period of time. So, we must use "for" not "since".)
- She has been watching TV since 03:00 p.m. ("03:00 p.m." is a simple past time marker. So, we must use "since" not "for".)
♦️"Since" + a point in time (in the past), until now.
- I've been waiting since 7 o'clock.
- I have known him since January.
With since we use the present perfect tenses or the past perfect tenses.
- I have been here since 5 o'clock and I am getting tired.
- I had been working since 5 o'clock and I was getting tired.
♦️Since can also be used in the structure It has been + period of time + since.
- It has been two months since I last saw her. (Remember: "I last saw her" is simple past, so we use "since")
- It has been three years since the last earthquake.
♦️♦️♦️SUMMERIZATION♦️♦️♦️
♦️ "FOR" to mention a specific period (or duration) of time.
I have been a doctor for fifteen years. (duration = 15 years)
♦️"SINCE" to mention the starting point of a period of time (continues to now).
I have been a doctor since 1992. (starting point = 1992)
♦️ Both "For" and "Since" are most commonly used with the perfect tense - we don't use these expressions in the present tense.
- I have learnt Russian for three years. (correct)
- I learn Russian for three years. (incorrect)
♦️While we can use "For" in the Simple Past tense, we can't use "Since" in the Simple Past tense. "Since" can only be used in the perfect tenses.
- She went to Japan for three years. (correct)
- She went to Japan since 2003. (incorrect)
♦️ It worth mentioning that both "For" and "Since" have other meanings in English that are not associated with time.
- This is for you.
- Is this the train for London?
- Since you asked, I'll say yes.
- Since he didn't study, he didn't pass the exam.
https://www.tg-me.com/English_Grammar_in_Use_5th
The use of FOR
We use "For" when we measure the duration – when we say how long something lasts.
For + the length of a period of time
♦️To measure a period of time up to the present, we use the present perfect tense and not the present tense.
- I have known her for a long time. (Correct)
- I know her for a long time. (Incorrect)
- I have lived here for ten years. (Correct)
- I live here for ten years. (Incorrect)
♦️Notice: The present tense with "For" refers to a period of time that extends into the future.
- How long are you here for? (Until when in the future)
- How long have you been here for? (Since when in the past)
♦️Notice: In reality, we can use all verb tenses with "For":
- They exercise for two hours every day. (Simple Present)
- They are exercising for three hours today. (Present Continuous)
- He has lived in Moscow for a long time. (Present Perfect)
- He has been living in Turin for three months. (Present Perfect Continuous)
- I worked at the service station for five years. (Simple Past)
- He will be in hospital for at least a week. (Simple Future)
The use of SINCE
♦️"Since" gives the starting point of actions, events or states. It refers to when things began. After "since" you always see a Simple Past time marker (not a length of a period of time).
- She has been watching TV for three hours. ("three hours" is not a simple past time marker. It is a period of time. So, we must use "for" not "since".)
- She has been watching TV since 03:00 p.m. ("03:00 p.m." is a simple past time marker. So, we must use "since" not "for".)
♦️"Since" + a point in time (in the past), until now.
- I've been waiting since 7 o'clock.
- I have known him since January.
With since we use the present perfect tenses or the past perfect tenses.
- I have been here since 5 o'clock and I am getting tired.
- I had been working since 5 o'clock and I was getting tired.
♦️Since can also be used in the structure It has been + period of time + since.
- It has been two months since I last saw her. (Remember: "I last saw her" is simple past, so we use "since")
- It has been three years since the last earthquake.
♦️♦️♦️SUMMERIZATION♦️♦️♦️
♦️ "FOR" to mention a specific period (or duration) of time.
I have been a doctor for fifteen years. (duration = 15 years)
♦️"SINCE" to mention the starting point of a period of time (continues to now).
I have been a doctor since 1992. (starting point = 1992)
♦️ Both "For" and "Since" are most commonly used with the perfect tense - we don't use these expressions in the present tense.
- I have learnt Russian for three years. (correct)
- I learn Russian for three years. (incorrect)
♦️While we can use "For" in the Simple Past tense, we can't use "Since" in the Simple Past tense. "Since" can only be used in the perfect tenses.
- She went to Japan for three years. (correct)
- She went to Japan since 2003. (incorrect)
♦️ It worth mentioning that both "For" and "Since" have other meanings in English that are not associated with time.
- This is for you.
- Is this the train for London?
- Since you asked, I'll say yes.
- Since he didn't study, he didn't pass the exam.
https://www.tg-me.com/English_Grammar_in_Use_5th
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Welcome to our channel where we elaborately explain and study the world's best-selling grammar book: "English Grammar in Use" by Raymond Murphy - 5th Edition.
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Try to test your progress by answering these exercises. Answers will be sent soon! 😊
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If you like to share your answers with us or in case you still have any questions, you can contact us via the bot @EngGraBot
⚡️Further Notes on the differences between Present Perfect and Past Simple⚡️
Remember:
1- We use the past simple for past events or actions which have no connection to the present.
❌ (Tom doesn't have his book now.) He lost it.
✅ (Tom has his book now.) He lost it.
2- We use the present perfect for actions which started in the past and are still happening now OR for finished actions which have a connection to the present.
❌ (Tom doesn't have his book now.) He lost it.
✅ (Tom doesn't have his book now.) He has lost it.
3- We CAN'T use the present perfect with a finished time word (specific time):
❌ I've been to the museum yesterday.
✅ I went to the museum yesterday.
4- The Present Perfect is connected in someway to the present while the Past Simple is not at all::
✅ She has gone to London. (She must be in London now).
✅ She went to London. (She may or may not be in London now).
5- We cannot use a specific time with the present perfect tense, but we can tell how many times.
- We have gone camping twice.
6- We can also tell the number of times with past tense sentences. We usually do this when we are telling the number of times and a specific time.
- I visited Australia two times in 2015.
7- Sometimes, the present perfect can be used for things that finished very recently. In these situations, we can use either the past tense or the present perfect tense.
Both "just or recently" can be used in the Present Perfect and Past Simple while the adverb "lately" can be used in the Present Perfect ONLY.
- The company just announced their sales results. (Past Tense)
- The company has just announced their sales results. (Present Perfect)
8- If there is no specific time, then we can use both. They have the same basic meaning.
- I went there.
- I have been there.
If you still have further questions, you can contact us via @EngGraBot.
https://www.tg-me.com/English_Grammar_in_Use_5th
Remember:
1- We use the past simple for past events or actions which have no connection to the present.
❌ (Tom doesn't have his book now.) He lost it.
✅ (Tom has his book now.) He lost it.
2- We use the present perfect for actions which started in the past and are still happening now OR for finished actions which have a connection to the present.
❌ (Tom doesn't have his book now.) He lost it.
✅ (Tom doesn't have his book now.) He has lost it.
3- We CAN'T use the present perfect with a finished time word (specific time):
❌ I've been to the museum yesterday.
✅ I went to the museum yesterday.
4- The Present Perfect is connected in someway to the present while the Past Simple is not at all::
✅ She has gone to London. (She must be in London now).
✅ She went to London. (She may or may not be in London now).
5- We cannot use a specific time with the present perfect tense, but we can tell how many times.
- We have gone camping twice.
6- We can also tell the number of times with past tense sentences. We usually do this when we are telling the number of times and a specific time.
- I visited Australia two times in 2015.
7- Sometimes, the present perfect can be used for things that finished very recently. In these situations, we can use either the past tense or the present perfect tense.
Both "just or recently" can be used in the Present Perfect and Past Simple while the adverb "lately" can be used in the Present Perfect ONLY.
- The company just announced their sales results. (Past Tense)
- The company has just announced their sales results. (Present Perfect)
8- If there is no specific time, then we can use both. They have the same basic meaning.
- I went there.
- I have been there.
If you still have further questions, you can contact us via @EngGraBot.
https://www.tg-me.com/English_Grammar_in_Use_5th
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Welcome to our channel where we elaborately explain and study the world's best-selling grammar book: "English Grammar in Use" by Raymond Murphy - 5th Edition.
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The correct answer is: (Both "saw" and "have seen" are correct.)
Remember that one of our rules says:
Both "just" and "recently" can be used in the Present Perfect and Past Simple while the adverb "lately" can be used in the Present Perfect ONLY.
The difference in meaning is that:
1- I just saw Tom in the supermarket. (simple past)
This sentence would suggest that Tom is not still in the supermarket now. (The simple past has no connection with now).
https://www.tg-me.com/English_Grammar_in_Use_5th
2- I have just seen Tom in the supermarket. (present perfect)
This sentence would suggest that Tom is almost in the supermarket now. (The present perfect has connection with now).
So, both "saw" and "have seen" are correct with the adverb "just" with a little difference in meaning.
Remember that one of our rules says:
Both "just" and "recently" can be used in the Present Perfect and Past Simple while the adverb "lately" can be used in the Present Perfect ONLY.
The difference in meaning is that:
1- I just saw Tom in the supermarket. (simple past)
This sentence would suggest that Tom is not still in the supermarket now. (The simple past has no connection with now).
https://www.tg-me.com/English_Grammar_in_Use_5th
2- I have just seen Tom in the supermarket. (present perfect)
This sentence would suggest that Tom is almost in the supermarket now. (The present perfect has connection with now).
So, both "saw" and "have seen" are correct with the adverb "just" with a little difference in meaning.
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English Grammar in Use
Welcome to our channel where we elaborately explain and study the world's best-selling grammar book: "English Grammar in Use" by Raymond Murphy - 5th Edition.
For questions and suggestions, you can contact us via: @EngGraBot
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Dear subscribers,
Try to answer Unit-13 Exercises to test your progress with Present Perfect and Past Simple. If you like to share your answers or in case you still have any questions, you can contact us via the @EngGraBot.
Answers will be sent very soon! 😊
Try to answer Unit-13 Exercises to test your progress with Present Perfect and Past Simple. If you like to share your answers or in case you still have any questions, you can contact us via the @EngGraBot.
Answers will be sent very soon! 😊
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