| REFERENCE |
Use the Present Perfect Simple
- to describe an activity that is complete:
I have read several books about windsurfing.
(I have finished them.) |
Use the Present Perfect Continuous
- to describe an activity that is incomplete:
I have been reading a book about windsurfing.
(I haven't finished it yet.) |
- to emphasise the result of a completed action:
We have already seen that film.
(We don't want to see it again.)
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- to focus on an activity, not the result of that activity:
A: You look tired. What have you been doing ?
B: I have been working hard.
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- to say how often something has happened:
He has read that book twice.
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- to emphasise how long an activity has been going on:
He's been reading that book for over two weeks.
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- to describe a permanent state:
She has lived here for six years.
(This is her home now.)
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- to describe a temporary state or activity:
She has been living here for six months.
(But she intends to move.)
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23A Choose the correct answer.
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0. |
You'd better put some boots on. It (0)
all week and it's very muddy outside.
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a. |
I (1)
him several times but he (2)
any of my messages.
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b. |
We (3)
them to arrive since last Thursday.
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c. |
(4)
your project yet? You (5)
on it for ages.
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d. |
Kevin (6)
for a job since he finished school but he's still unemployed.
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e. |
Audrey (7)
to play the guitar since she was a child and now she (8)
piano lessons too.
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f. |
They (9)
a film on television all evening. It's their favourite film and they (10)
it three times.
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g. |
Daniel (11)
house five times in the last five years!
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h. |
I (12)
him to repair the television for ages. In fact, I (13)
him twice this week already.
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23B Complete the conversations. Use the present perfect simple or continuous of the verbs in brackets.
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A: |
You look hot. What (0) (you / do)? |
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B: |
I (14)
(run).
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A: |
In this heat? How far (15)
(you / run)?
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C: |
You look pleased about something. What (16)
(happen)?
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D: |
I (17)
(just / pass) my driving test.
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C: |
Congratulations! You deserve to pass. You (18)
(practice) for months, haven't you?
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D: |
That's right, and my father (19)
(give) me lessons, too.
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E: |
Where (20)
(you / be)?
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F: |
At the doctor's. I (21)
(not feel) well lately.
I'm tired and a bit run-down.
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E: |
I'm sorry to hear that. (22)
(you / work) too hard?
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F: |
I hope that's all it is but the doctor (23)
(do) some tests and she'll Let me know the results soon, I hope.
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G: |
You took frustrated. What's the matter?
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H: |
I (24)
(try) to learn my lines for the play but I'm finding it difficult.
I (25) (only / manage) to learn the first scene so far.
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G: |
Can I help in anyway?
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23C Complete the article. Use the present perfect simple or continuous of the following verbs.
avoid - do - eat - invite - lose - make - order - have set - start - take care
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They (0) the date, picked the dress and are making the final preparations for the big day. Lyndsey Young (26)
sure she will look her best when she marries Ben O'Neill later this week.
She (27)
an exercise programme, in which, for the past five months, she (28)
forty or fifty minutes of exercise a day. She (29)
of her diet. She (30)
high-calorie foods and (31)
lots of fruit and vegetables instead. Thanks to all of her hard work, she (32)
nearly ten kilos.
Lyndsey's efforts (33)
a great result and she looks fabulous. The couple (34)
huge amounts of food and beverages for the wedding, which will take place at a secret location, but sources say that Lyndsey and Ben (35) only family and close friends to the wedding. The stage is set for what will surely be the wedding of the year. |