present continuous or present simple
Tom usually __________(ride )his bike to school, but he _________________ (go) by car today.
Tom usually rides his bike to school, but he is going by car today.
I ______________ (live) in Berlin _________(for/since) 2009.
I have lived in Berlin since 2009.
We use the present perfect for things that started in the past and are still true. We use "since" to show when that event started.
I think I've (heard/been hearing) that song before.
I think I've heard that song before.
With "before" we use the present perfect.
Yesterday, I_____________ (visited/have visited) my grandmother.
Yesterday, I visited my grandmother.
Past simple for finished actions. We also use past simple with time phrases such as "yesterday."
Every day she wakes up at 7:00. Yesterday, she woke up at 8:00 because her alarm didn't go off in time.
Jane doesn't like tea, but she is drinking it today because she is ill.
She __________ (not eat) lunch yet.
She hasn't eaten lunch yet.
With "yet, just, already" we often use present perfect.
You've (written/been writing) that email for over an hour. How long is it going to take you?
You've been writing that email for over an hour. How long is it going to take you?
We use present perfect continuous to emphasize how long something lasts. We also use it to show that something is still in process.
I ______ (lived/have lived) in Amsterdam 2 years ago.
I lived in Amsterdam 2 years ago.
"2 years ago" means that it is a finished action in the past.
The movie starts at 5:00 pm on Saturday. We are going to the cinema with some friends.
Mark and Jill ___________(try) to improve their French. They_____________(study) together every afternoon.
Mark and Jill are trying to improve their French. They study together every afternoon.
John and Julie _______(had) their car for about a year.
John and Julie have had their car for about a year.
We use "have" in two different ways. "Have" as a helping verb for the present perfect, and "had" to show that the car belonged to them (possessive).
Jo has already (invited/been inviting) Sarah to dinner.
Jo has already invited Sarah to dinner.
With "already" we use present perfect.
She __________(has lived/lived) in Portugal when she was young.
She lived in Portugal when she was young.
How long ______________ (know) your best friend?
How long have you known your best friend?
My little sister___________ (not understand) her homework, so my mom ______________(help) her now.
My little sister doesn't understand her homework, so my mom is helping her now.
"Understand" is a stative verb. We usually don't use "ing" with stative verbs.
They __________(to be married) (for/since) 5 years.
They have been married for 5 years.
We use "for" when we talk about duration, or a length of time.
Have the boys (played/been playing) computer games since this morning?
Have the boys been playing computer games since this morning?
Last month, I _________(have gone/went) to Scotland.
Last month, I went to Scotland.
Tom is _______ (impulsive) than his older brother.
Tom is more impulsive than his older brother.
I ________ (think) he is telling the truth now.
I think he is telling the truth now.
"Think" is a stative verb. We usually don't use the "ing" ending with stative verbs.
Form the question:
___________(Paul/ever/meet) a famous person?
Has Paul ever met a famous person?
Have you (talked/been talking) on the phone since eight o'clock?
Have you been talking on the phone since eight o'clock?
I moved to Frankfurt in 2001.
What ___________ (do) all afternoon? I haven't been able to reach you on the phone?
What have you been doing all afternoon? I haven't been able to reach you on the phone?