Sorry I'm late! Have you (wait) for a long time?
Sorry I'm late! Have you been waiting for a long time?
I ________ (I, decorate) the house all day without help! Now just the tree is left.
I have been decorating the house all day without help! Now just the tree is left.
Present perfect continuous - the person is still decorating the house.
Talking about the ACTIVITY itself
We gingerbread since 4pm!
a. have been cooking
b. have cooked
A - We have been cooking gingerbread since 4pm!
since 4pm - the action is still happening.
We have had white Christmases 5 years in a row!
We have had white Christmases for 5 years in a row!
What is my favourite Christmas weather?
SNOW of course!!
She (to ask) Santa for a pony this year.
She has asked Santa for a pony this year.
Look! They (decorate) their house already!
Look! They have decorated their house already!
Present perfect simple - the have already done it, not a continued action.
Talk about the RESULT of the activity
I this gingerbread house for hours! My hands are starting to hurt.
a. have decorated
b. have been decorating
B - I have been decorating this gingerbread house for hours!
For hours, hands are starting to hurt - still happening.
My family and I have used the same stockings the last 21 years.
My family and I have used the same stockings for the last 21 years.
Who has the best Christmas music album ever?
a. Justin Bieber
b. Michael Bublé
c. Mariah Carey
Michael Bublé (he's Canadian!)
You hate Christmas??? Have you always (be) such a Grinch?
You hate Christmas??? Have you always been such a Grinch?
The little girl is wet from head to toe because she (play) in the snow for an hour this morning!
The little girl is wet from head to toe because she has been playing in the snow for over an hour this morning!
Present perfect continuous
Talking about the ACTIVITY (she is playing)
I about Santa since last Christmas!
a. haven't been thinking
b. haven't thought
B - I haven't thought about Santa since last Christmas!
Since last Christmas - a past action, finished.
She has been driving a Ferrari she got it for Christmas last year.
She has been driving a Ferrari since she got it for Christmas last year.
What is my favourite holiday cookie?
a. Sugar cookies
b. Gingerbread
c. Nanaimo bars
Nanaimo bars! (sugar cookies are a close 2nd)
It's so warm in the house lately! (Turn on) the fireplace every day?
It's so warm in the house lately! Have you been turning on the fireplace every day?
I love baking cookies! I (bake) cookies for over 4 hours today!
I love baking cookies! I have been baking cookies for over 4 hours today!
Present perfect continuous - the person is still baking cookies
Talk about the ACTIVITY itself
I for the snow for ages.
a. have waited
b. have been waiting
B - I have been waiting for the snow for ages.
For ages - is still waiting.
Santa Claus has been the icon of many Christmas traditions the 3rd century (we think).
Santa Claus has been the icon of many Christmas traditions since the 3rd century (we think).
What is my favourite movie at Christmas time?
a. The nightmare before Christmas
b. Elf
c. The Grinch
The Grinch! (live action)
Every year until this year, I (hope) for snow on Christmas!
Every year until this year, I had hoped for snow on Christmas!
How long (she, stand) under the mistletoe?
How long has she been standing under the mistletoe?
Present perfect continuous - the action is not finished, it continues.
Talk about the ACTIVITY
Now that we a fake tree for 5 year, I think that we should get a real one.
a. have used
b. have been using
B - Now that we have been using a fake tree for 5 years, I think that we should get a real one.
For 5 years - still using it.
I have been standing under the mistetoe 3 hours, and no one has kissed me yet!
I have been standing under the mistetoe for 3 hours, and no one has kissed me yet!
What is the best Christmas activity?
a. Make a snowman and have a snowball fight
b. Go sledding and drink hot chocolate
c. Bake cookies and watch movies
Go sledding, then have hot chocolate!