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For and Since with Present Perfect Continuous tense
We often use for and since with perfect tenses:
We use for to talk about a period of time: three hours, two months, one decade
We use since to talk about a point in past time: 9 o'clock, 1st January, Monday
for
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since
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a period of time
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a point in past time
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30 minutes
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10.00am
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four days
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Friday
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3 months
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March
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2 years
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2010
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3 centuries
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1700
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ages
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I left school
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ever
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the beginning of time
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etc
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etc
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Look at these example sentences using for and since with the Present Perfect Continuous tense:
He has been playing football for a long time.
He has been living in Bangkok since he left school.
Unfinished actions
1: To say how long for unfinished actions which started in the past and continue to the present. We often use this with 'for' and 'since'.
I've been living in London for two years.
She's been working here since 2004.
This use is very similar to how we use the present perfect simple, and often it's possible to use either tense. Of course, with stative verbs, we can't use the present perfect continuous.
I've been here for hours.
NOT: .
2: For temporary habits or situations. The action started in the past and continues to the present in the same way as with use number 1, but we don't answer the questions about 'how long' so clearly. Instead, we use a word like 'recently'.
I've been going to the gym a lot recently.
They've been living with his mother while they look for a house.
I've been reading a lot recently.
This is very similar to the use of the present continuous for temporary habits and often either tense is possible.
Finished actions
3: Actions which have recently stopped (though the whole action can be unfinished) and have a result, which we can often see, hear, or feel, in the present. We don't use a time word here.
I'm so tired, I've been studying.
I've been running, so I'm really hot.
It's been raining so the pavement is wet.
The present perfect simple has a very similar use, which focuses on the result of the action, whereas the present perfect continuous focuses on the action itself.
Exercise 1. Put the verbs into the correct form (present perfect progressive).
He has been working in this company since 1985.
I have been waiting for you since two o'clock.
Mary has been living in Germany since 1992.
Why is he so tired? He has been playing tennis for five hours.
How long have you been learning English?
We have been looking for the motorway for more than an hour.
I have been living without electricity for two weeks.
The film has not been running for ten minutes yet, but there's a commercial break already.
How long has she been working in the garden?
She has not been in the garden for more than an hour.
Lesson 8. The Town of My Dream
Peking is the capital of the People's Republic of China. It is spreads across a vast area. Part of its border is formed by the Great Wall of China, a huge wall which stretches along the mountains. It is the ancient seat of government and a modern industrial and commercial city. The population of Peking is about 10 million people and is still growing, although it is only the second largest city in China. In 1421 Peking became the imperial capital of the Ming dynasty (1368—1644) and it was during this time that the spacious walled city was built. Like many ancient Chinese cites, the walls and streets were based on the points of the compass. Peking has remained the capital of China since then. With its modern international airport, it is not surprising that Peking has become a popular tourist destination. Peking's broad, straight streets are crowded with people, bicycles and buses. Very few people own a car. Industries include textiles, steel and engineering. It is also a city of great cultural importance. There are more than fifty institutes of higher education, including Peking University. It has a famous opera, a ballet and some outstanding museums — The Museum of Chinese History and Gugun Museum. Among the many historical and cultural landmarks in Peking is Square, one of the largest public squares in the world. It is used for political rallies and military parades.
Questions:
1. What is the capital of People's Republic of China?
2. What is the population of Peking?
3. Peking is the second largest city in China, isn't it?
4. Has Peking become a popular tourist destination?
5. How many institutes are there in this city?
Vocabulary:
vast — обширный
to stretch — тянуться
to remain — оставаться
landmark — памятник
rally — событие
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