AT 6 continuous (I was uuiny ) dllu past SImple did) To talk about a temporary situation that existed at or around a particular time in the past, we use the past continuous: At the time of the robbery, they were staying with my parents My head was aching again, so I went home Compare the use of the past continuous and the past simple in these sentences: She was shaking with anger as she left the hotel. When he realised I was looking at him, he turned away. Erika dropped her bag while she was getting into her car. We often use the past simple to talk about a completed past event and the past continuous to describe the situation that existed at the time. The completed event might have interrupted the situation, or just occurred while the situation or event was in progress We don' t normally use the past continuous with certain verbs describing states(see Unit 2A) This house belonged to the King ofSweden. (not.was belonging to.) B When we talk about two past actions or events that went on over the same period of time, we can often use the past continuous for both Sally was reading to the children while Kevin was washing up. Mario was working in a restaurant when I was living in London However, we can often use the past simple to express a similar meaning Mario worked in a restaurant while he lived inLondon. (or. was living in London When we talk about two or more past completed events that follow each other, we use the past simple for both. The first may have caused the second: She got up when the alarm clock went off. He jumped out of bed and ran to see who the parcel was for When we talk about a permanent or long-term situation that existed in the past, we use the past simple rather than the past continuous: When I was a child I played theviolin. (not I was playing .) However, if the situation was temporary, we can also use the past continuous. Compare I was working in a car factory during the summer of 1976. (or I worked. and He worked hard all hislife.(not He was working.) We use the past simple rather than the past continuous when we are talking about repeated actions or events in the past We visited Spain three times lastyear. (not We were visiting.) I went past her house every day. (not I was going.) She slept very badly whenever she stayed with hergrandparents. (not.was sleeping. However, the past continuous can also be used when we want to emphasise that the repeated actions only went on for a limited and temporary period of past time(See also Unit 2C) When Carlo was in hospital, we were visiting him twice a day. (or.we visited..) To get fit for the race, I was going to the sports centre every day. (or.I went.) We use the past continuous when the repeated actions or events provide a longer background to something else that happened(see a) During the time I started to get chest pains, I was playing tennis a lot R可r图 Rsp itand F ts口
connnuous (\ was uuinyj aim раы (I did) To talk about a temporary situation that existed at or around a particular time in the past, we use the past continuous: • At the time of the robbery, they were staying with my parents. • My head was aching again, so I went home. Compare the use of the past continuous and the past simple in these sentences: • She was shaking with anger as she left the hotel. • When he realised I was looking at him, he turned away. • Erika dropped her bag while she was getting into her car. We often use the past simple to talk about a completed past event and the past continuous to describe the situation that existed at the time. The completed event might have interrupted the situation, or just occurred while the situation or event was in progress. We don't normally use the past continuous with certain verbs describing states (see Unit 2A): • This house belonged to the King of Sweden, (not ...was belonging to...) D When we talk about two past actions or events that went on over the same period of time, we can often use the past continuous for both: • Sally was reading to the children while Kevin was washing up. • Mario was working in a restaurant when I was living in London. However, we can often use the past simple to express a similar meaning: • Mario worked in a restaurant while he lived in London, (or ...was living in London.) When we talk about two or more past completed events that follow each other, we use the past simple for both. The first may have caused the second: • She got up when the alarm clock went off. • He jumped out of bed and ran to see who the parcel was for. When we talk about a permanent or long-term situation that existed in the past, we use the past simple rather than the past continuous: • When I was a child I played the violin, (not ...I was playing...) However, if the situation was temporary, we can also use the past continuous. Compare: • I was working in a car factory during the summer of 1976. (or I worked...) and • He worked hard all his life, (not He was working...) We use the past simple rather than the past continuous when we are talking about repeated actions or events in the past: • We visited Spain three times last year, (not We were visiting...) • I went past her house every day. (not I was going...) • She slept very badly whenever she stayed with her grandparents, (not ...was sleeping...) However, the past continuous can also be used when we want to emphasise that the repeated actions only went on for a limited and temporary period of past time (See also Unit 2C): • When Carlo was in hospital, we were visiting him twice a day. (or ...we visited...) • To get fit for the race, I was going to the sports centre every day. (or ...I went...) We use the past continuous when the repeated actions or events provide a longer background to something else that happened (see A): • During the time I started to get chest pains, I was playing tennis a lot. Present perfect and past simple = Past perfect and past simple =
UNIT EXERCISES 6 6.1 Complete the sentences using these pairs of verbs. Use the past simple in one space and the past continuous in the other. (A B) duve look/slip wait/order ki/break I Just as I. was gettinginto the bath the fire alarm. went off 2 Helen. her leg while she in switzerland 3 W when L in a music shop 4 When his mother. in the other direction Steve away quietly a drink while l for Pam to arrive 6 Our guests were early They This time, use the same tense in both spaces. (B) close/sit come/put not concentrate/think shut/start write/drive 7 She the door and down quickly. the windows as soon as it to rain 9 Im sorry, I about jim 10 It was an amazing coincidence. Just as I to Anne. she to my house to come and see me 11 When the taxi. my suitcase on the back seat 12 He the cake out of the oven and it carefully on the table 6.2 Look at the past continuous verbs you wrote in 6.1: 1-6. Which of these could also be in the past simple? What difference in meaning, if any, would there be?(A, b& c) 6.3 Complete the sentences with one of these verbs: be, enjoy, have live. Use the same verb for each entence in the pair. In one, you can use only the past simple, in the other you can use either the I a It was now getting late, and my eyes trouble focusing on the birds in the disappearing light. trouble with that car the whole of the time i owned it 2 a As a historian, I'm interested in how people. in the past. b during that hard winter, people by selling what few remaining possessions they had 3 a she very good at talking to children in a way that kept them entertained b Before the party, the children got very excite H learning Japanese until the class had a new teacher. b Even when he was young, Jonathan. learning languages. 6.4 Correct the sentences ifnecessary or put av.(D) I Whenever I called in on Sam, he talked on the phone 2 When I lived in Paris, I was spending three hours a day travelling to and from work 3 Peterson was winning the tournament four times before he retired 4 We were having to play netball twice a week when I went to school 5 The weather was so good last summer that we went to the beach most weekends
UNIT 6.1 EXERCISES Complete the sentences using these pairs of verbs. Use the past simple in one space and the past continuous in the other. (A & B) arrive/get go/get meet/work look/slip wait/order ski/break 1 Just as I .пю.&Фт.. into the bath the fire alarm .we**. o ff 2 Helen her leg while she in Switzerland. 3 We when I in a music shop. 4 When his mother in the other direction Steve away quietly. 5 I a drink while I for Pam to arrive. 6 Our guests were early. They as I changed. This time, use the same tense in both spaces. (B) close/sit come/put not concentrate/think shut/start take/place write/drive 7 She the door and down quickly. 8 I the windows as soon as it to rain. 9 I'm sorry, I I about Jim. 10 It was an amazing coincidence. Just as I to Anne, she to my house to come and see me. 11 When the taxi I my suitcase on the back seat. 12 He the cake out of the oven and it carefully on the table. 6.2 Look at the past continuous verbs you wrote in 6.1:1-6. Which of these could also be in the past simple? What difference in meaning, if any, would there be? (А, В & С) 6.3 Complete the sentences with one of these verbs: be, enjoy, have, live. Use the same verb for each sentence in the pair. In one, you can use only the past simple; in the other you can use either the past simple or the past continuous. (C) 1 a It was now getting late, and my eyes trouble focusing on the birds in the disappearing light, b I trouble with that car the whole of the time I owned it. 2 a As a historian, I'm interested in how people in the past. b During that hard winter, people by selling what few remaining possessions they had. 3 a She very good at talking to children in a way that kept them entertained. b Before the party, the children got very excited and naughty. 4 a He learning Japanese until the class had a new teacher. b Even when he was young, Jonathan learning languages. 6.4 Correct the sentences if necessary or put a S. (D) 1 Whenever I called in on Sam, he talked on the phone. 2 When I lived in Paris, I was spending three hours a day travelling to and from work. 3 Peterson was winning the tournament four times before he retired. 4 We were having to play netball twice a week when I went to school. 5 The weather was so good last summer that we went to the beach most weekends. 13
7 Present perfect continuous (i have been doing) We use the present perfect continuous to talk about a situation or activity that started in the past and has been in progress for a period until now. Sometimes we use the present perfect continuous with expressions that indicate the time period (e. g with since and for) Ive been meaning to phone Jack since I heard he was back in the country. The competition has been running every year since 1980 She's been living in New Zealand for over a year now. People have been saying for ages that the building should be pulled down Without such an expression, the present perfect continuous refers to a recent situation or activity and focuses on its present results: Look! It's been snowing. You're looking well. 'I've been playing a lot of squash to lose weight Havent seen anything of Rod for a while. No, he's been working in Germany. The situation or activity may still be going on, or it may just have stopped. Compare Weve been discussing the proposals for a number of years. ( still going on)and Your eyes are red- have you been crying?( recently stopped) Weoftenusethe presentperfect continuous when we ask questions with How long.? and when we say how long something has been in progress: How long have you been waiting for me? How long have they been living next door to you? For more than two years Ive been trying to get permission to extend my house Unemployment has been rising steadily since the huge increase in oil prices. We can use the present perfect continuous or a present tense(the present simple or the present continuous) when we talk about a situation or activity that started in the past and is still happening now or has just stopped. However, we use the present perfect continuous when we are talking about how long the action or event has been going on. Compare I see Tom mostweekends., and Ive been seeing a lot of Tom since he moved into the flat upstairs. (not I see It'sraining and It's been raining heavily all night. (not It's raining.) For the difference between the present perfect and present perfect continuous in sentences like this. see unit 8 When we talk about situations or actions that went on over a past period of time but finished at a particular point in time before now, we don t use the present perfect continuous: I was reading until midnight last night. (not I have been reading.) She had been living in Spain before her family moved to Brazil. (not She has been living He put off the decision for as long as possible, but eventually he made up his mind and bought the car.(not He has been putting off.) We generally avoid the present perfect continuous with verbs that describe states(see Unjt 2A) Pesetperlectaantnasadpesertpefac= UNIT 8
Presen t perfec t continuou s ( I hav e bee n doing ) We use the present perfect continuous to talk about a situation or activity that started in the past and has been in progress for a period until now. Sometimes we use the present perfect continuous with expressions that indicate the time period (e.g. with since and for): • I've been meaning to phone Jack since I heard he was back in the country. • The competition has been running every year since 1980. • She's been living in New Zealand for over a year now. • People have been saying for ages that the building should be pulled down. Without such an expression, the present perfect continuous refers to a recent situation or activity and focuses on its present results: • Look! It's been snowing. • 'You're looking well.' 'I've been playing a lot of squash to lose weight.' • 'Haven't seen anything of Rod for a while.' 'No, he's been working in Germany.' The situation or activity may still be going on, or it may just have stopped. Compare: • We've been discussing the proposals for a number of years. (= still going on) and • Your eyes are red - have you been crying? (= recently stopped) ' В ^ е °ft e n us e tn e P resen t perfect continuous when we ask questions with How long...? and when we say how long something has been in progress: • How long have you been waiting for me? • How long have they been living next door to you? • For more than two years I've been trying to get permission to extend my house. • Unemployment has been rising steadily since the huge increase in oil prices. We can use the present perfect continuous or a present tense (the present simple or the present continuous) when we talk about a situation or activity that started in the past and is still happening now or has just stopped. However, we use the present perfect continuous when we are talking about how long the action or event has been going on. Compare: • I see Tom most weekends, and • I've been seeing a lot of Tom since he moved into the flat upstairs, (not I see...) • It's raining, and • It's been raining heavily all night, (not It's raining...) For the difference between the present perfect and present perfect continuous in sentences like this, see Unit 8. When we talk about situations or actions that went on over a past period of time but finished at a particular point in time before now, we don't use the present perfect continuous: о • I was reading until midnight last night, (not I have been reading...) • • She had been living in Spain before her family moved to Brazil, (not She has been living...) • He put off the decision for as long as possible, but eventually he made up his mind and bought the car. (not He has been putting off...) We generally avoid the present perfect continuous with verbs that describe states (see Unjt 2A). Present perfect continuous and present perfect =
7.1 Complete the sentences with the present perfect continuous form ofan appropriate verb.(A) The situation continues to be serious, and troops their lives to rescue people from the floods 2 Mary hasnt been at work for a while. She her husband get over a serious illness very hard for this exam. I hope i do well 4 Because the children are older. we of moving to a bigger house 5 I this suitcase around with me all day, and it's really heavy 6 For several years now, Glasgow citywide festivals to celebrate the cultures of othe countries. This year the focus is on Sweden 7.2 Rewrite each sentence using the present perfect continuous form ofan appropriate verb and for or since. If necessary, look at the verbs below to help you.(A) I Henry moved to California three years ago Henryhas. been Living. un. Califomia. for. fcjiree years The project to send astronauts to Mars began in 1991 3 Campbell began a life sentence for murder in 1992 4 Colin James took over as head of the company six months ago 5 Grahams knee injury began at the US Open earlier this year. 6 Local authorities began to invest heavily in new computer systems at the beginning of the 1990s Inves run serve Underline the correct alternative.(B) hting is going on has been going on in Spain for centuries 2 i always find /have always been finding it difficult to get up on winter morning 3 I have been wanting /want to meet you since I saw your concert 4 Over the last six months I've been learning/I'm learning how to play the flute 5 The phone 's been ringing/phone's ringing. Can you answer it 6 How long have you learned have you been learning Swahili? 7 During the last few years the company has been working/works hard to modernise its imag 7.4 Ifthe underlined verbs are correct, put a v. Ifthey are wrong, correct them using either the past continuous or the present perfect continuous as appropriate. (C) L was expecting the book to end happily, but in fact it was really sad./ 2 The opposition groups were fighting the government on this issue for years, but so far without success 3 The protesters have been campaigning for some months now to prevent the new road being 4 He has been looking nervous until I told him to sit down and relax 5 Work to repair the bridge has been continuing throughout this summer 6 Before she retrained as a computer programmer she has been working as a secretary 7 I was receiving the magazine for some time and enjoy reading it immensely 8 Iwas turning to leave when she said, Maybe you'd like to stay for dinner
UNIT EXERCISES у 7.1 Complete the sentences with the present perfect continuous form of an appropriate verb. (A) 1 The situation continues to be serious, and troops their lives to rescue people from the floods. 2 Mary hasn't been at work for a while. She her husband get over a serious illness. 3 I very hard for this exam. I hope I do well. 4 Because the children are older, we of moving to a bigger house. 5 I this suitcase around with me all day, and it's really heavy. 6 For several years now, Glasgow citywide festivals to celebrate the cultures of other countries. This year the focus is on Sweden. 7.2 Rewrite each sentence using the present perfect continuous form of an appropriate verb and for or since. If necessary, look at the verbs below to help you. (A) 1 Henry moved to California three years ago. HewiJ Ил*. Ьеем living w California, for; fcjiгее уелге.. 2 The project to send astronauts to Mars began in 1991. 3 Campbell began a life sentence for murder in 1992. 4 Colin James took over as head of the company six months ago. 5 Graham's knee injury began at the US Open earlier this year. 6 Local authorities began to invest heavily in new computer systems at the beginning of the 1990s. go on invest live run serve suffer 7.3 Underline the correct alternative. (B) 1 Bullfighting is going on I has been going on in Spain for centuries. 2 I always find I have always been finding it difficult to get up on winter mornings. 3 I have been wanting I want to meet you since I saw your concert. 4 Over the last six months I've been learning I I'm learning how to play the flute. 5 The phone's been ringing I phone's ringing. Can you answer it. 6 How long have you learned I have you been learning Swahili? 7 During the last few years the company has been working I works hard to modernise its image. 7.4 If the underlined verbs are correct, put a S. If they are wrong, correct them using either the past continuous or the present perfect continuous as appropriate. (C) 1 I was expecting the book to end happily, but in fact it was really sad. / 2 The opposition groups were fighting the government on this issue for years, but so far without success. 3 The protesters have been campaigning for some months now to prevent the new road being built. 4 He has been looking nervous until I told him to sit down and relax. 5 Work to repair the bridge has been continuing throughout this summer. 6 Before she retrained as a computer programmer she has been working as a secretary. 7 I was receiving the magazine for some time and enjoy reading it immensely. 8 I was turning to leave when she said, 'Maybe you'd like to stay for dinner.' 15
Present perfect contInuous (I nave geen uuIny and present perfect (I have done I Compare the use of the present perfect continuous and the present perfect: The guests have been arriving since about Mark and Helena have arrived-they're in the sitting room. Since the operation two months ago, Joe I have learnt a lot about painting from has been learning to walk again. He can already take two or three steps unaided. She's been driving for 3 years now We have driven all the way here without a break We use both the present perfect continuous and the present perfect to talk about something that started in the past and which affects the situation that exists now. the difference is that the present perfect continuous focuses on the activity or event which may or may not be finished.The present perfect, however, focuses on the effect of the activity or event, or the fact that something has been achieved Sometimes the difference between them is simply one of emphasis(see also Unit 10B I've been following their discussions with greatinterest. (emphasises the activity; that is, my following their discussions) I've followed their discussions with greatinterest. (emphasises the result; I may now react to what was said or decided) We can use either the present perfect continuous or the present perfect to talk about activities or events that are repeated again and again until now Joseph has been kicking a football against the wall allafternoon.(or.has kicked. The press has been calling for her resignation for severaleeks. (or. has called.) However, if we mention the number of times the activity or event was repeated we use the present perfect rather than the present perfect continuous: 9: He has played for the national team in 6s matches so far We use the present perfect rather than the present perfect continuous when we talk about long lasting or permanent situations, or when we want to emphasise that we are talking about the whole of a period of time until the present(see also Unit 5D) I have always admired Chesters work They are the most delicious oranges Ive ever eaten. When we talk about more temporary situations we can often use either the present perfect continuous or the present perfect: Where's Dr Owens office? ' Sorry, I dont know. I,ve only worked/Ive only been working here for a couple of day a When we want to emphasise that a situation has changed over a period of time up to now,and may continue to change, we prefer the present perfect continuous to the present perfect The pollution problem has been getting worse over the last decade Sales have been increasing for some time However, if we talk about a specific change over a period of time which ends now, particularly to focus on the result of this change(see A), we use the present perfect Prices have decreased by 7%6./= in a period up to now) The population has grown from 35 million in 1950 to 42 million today. Pesertperfectardpestsmple= UNiTs Pesent perfect continuous→MN7
Present регтест coniinuous (i nave oeen uuiny; and present perfect (I have done) Д Compare the use of the present perfect continuous and the present perfect: В • The guests have been arriving since about 6 o'clock. • Since the operation two months ago, Joe has been learning to walk again. He can already take two or three steps unaided. • She's been driving for 3 years now. • Mark and Helena have arrived - they're in the sitting room. • I have learnt a lot about painting from Paul. • We have driven all the way here without a break. We use both the present perfect continuous and the present perfect to talk about something that started in the past and which affects the situation that exists now. The difference is that the present perfect continuous focuses on the activity or event which may or may not be finished. The present perfect, however, focuses on the effect of the activity or event, or the fact that something has been achieved. Sometimes the difference between them is simply one of emphasis (see also Unit 10B): • I've been following their discussions with great interest, (emphasises the activity; that is, my following their discussions) • I've followed their discussions with great interest, (emphasises the result; I may now react to what was said or decided) We can use either the present perfect continuous or the present perfect to talk about activities or events that are repeated again and again until now: • Joseph has been kicking a football against the wall all afternoon, (or ...has kicked...) • The press has been calling for her resignation for several weeks, (or ...has called...) However, if we mention the number of times the activity or event was repeated, we use the present perfect rather than the present perfect continuous: • I've bumped into Susan 3 times this week. • He has played for the national team in 65 matches so far. We use the present perfect rather than the present perfect continuous when we talk about longlasting or permanent situations, or when we want to emphasise that we are talking about the whole of a period of time until the present (see also Unit 5D): • I have always admired Chester's work. • They are the most delicious oranges I've ever eaten. When we talk about more temporary situations we can often use either the present perfect continuous or the present perfect: • 'Where's Dr Owen's office?' 'Sorry, I don't know. I've only worked / I've only been working here for a couple of days.' When we want to emphasise that a situation has changed over a period of time up to now, and may continue to change, we prefer the present perfect continuous to the present perfect: • The pollution problem has been getting worse over the last decade. • Sales have been increasing for some time. However, if we talk about a specific change over a period of time which ends now, particularly to focus on the result of this change (see A), we use the present perfect: • Prices have decreased by 7%. {= in a period up to now) • The population has grown from 35 million in 1950 to 42 million today. Present perfect and past simple = Present perfect continuous => 1 Д