Lesson 1
Here is a worksheet to help introduce this grammar to you.
present_perfect_continuous_introduction.docx | |
File Size: | 15 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Lesson 2
Practice making sentences with the present perfect continuous paying attention to the 2 irregular spelling rules. 1. Erase the e, ing. 2. Consonant Vowel Consonant, Double the Last Letter.
present_perfect_continuous.docx | |
File Size: | 15 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Lesson 3
Present Perfect Practice, now with contractions: I have been eating = I've been eating, She has been sleeping = She's been sleeping.
present_perfect_continuous_more_practice.docx | |
File Size: | 14 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Lesson 4
What sounds better to you?
I love you. or I'm loving you.
I know the answer. or I'm knowing the answer.
I have black hair. or I'm having black hair.
It costs $5. or It's costing $5.
Hopefully, you thought all the sentences on the left sound good. All the ones on the right aren't correct.
Why?
Because some verbs, the stative verbs, verbs that aren't actions, normally don't use 'ing'.
We say, "She likes rap," not "She is liking rap." Like is a feeling process, not a physical action.
We say, "Teacher, I don't understand," not "Teacher, I'm not understanding." Understand is a mental process, not a physical action.
The sentences on the left and right are both in the present tense. The left is the simple present. The right is the present continuous. Most verbs are action verbs and can use either tense with a change in meaning.
I work in L.A. (simple present--every day routine) I am working in L.A. (present continuous--now, or temporarily)
She cooks for the family. (simple present--routine) She is cooking for the family. (present continuous--now)
But, stative verbs in the present will only use the simple present form. You'll say, "I love you," only for the present, no matter if the feeling is for all the time or just right now.
The same thing goes for any continuous tense. In the past, stative verbs are only used in the simple past, not the past continuous.
She knew the answer. (good) She was knowing the answer. (bad)
I liked Mexico. (good) I was liking Mexico. (bad)
However, an action verb can use either tense: She cooked last night, or She was cooking last night.
Ok. So now we come to the present perfect and present perfect continuous. The same rule about stative verbs not using 'ing' comes into play here, too. Any stative verb must only be used in the present perfect.
He has been knowing me for many years. (bad) He has known me for many years. (good)
Normally, I've told you that you can use either the present perfect or present perfect without any difference, as long as an action started in the past and continues into now. The exception then is with these stative verbs; don't use them with ing.
Here's an exercise to practice.
I love you. or I'm loving you.
I know the answer. or I'm knowing the answer.
I have black hair. or I'm having black hair.
It costs $5. or It's costing $5.
Hopefully, you thought all the sentences on the left sound good. All the ones on the right aren't correct.
Why?
Because some verbs, the stative verbs, verbs that aren't actions, normally don't use 'ing'.
We say, "She likes rap," not "She is liking rap." Like is a feeling process, not a physical action.
We say, "Teacher, I don't understand," not "Teacher, I'm not understanding." Understand is a mental process, not a physical action.
The sentences on the left and right are both in the present tense. The left is the simple present. The right is the present continuous. Most verbs are action verbs and can use either tense with a change in meaning.
I work in L.A. (simple present--every day routine) I am working in L.A. (present continuous--now, or temporarily)
She cooks for the family. (simple present--routine) She is cooking for the family. (present continuous--now)
But, stative verbs in the present will only use the simple present form. You'll say, "I love you," only for the present, no matter if the feeling is for all the time or just right now.
The same thing goes for any continuous tense. In the past, stative verbs are only used in the simple past, not the past continuous.
She knew the answer. (good) She was knowing the answer. (bad)
I liked Mexico. (good) I was liking Mexico. (bad)
However, an action verb can use either tense: She cooked last night, or She was cooking last night.
Ok. So now we come to the present perfect and present perfect continuous. The same rule about stative verbs not using 'ing' comes into play here, too. Any stative verb must only be used in the present perfect.
He has been knowing me for many years. (bad) He has known me for many years. (good)
Normally, I've told you that you can use either the present perfect or present perfect without any difference, as long as an action started in the past and continues into now. The exception then is with these stative verbs; don't use them with ing.
Here's an exercise to practice.
present_perfect_or_present_perfect_continuous.docx | |
File Size: | 14 kb |
File Type: | docx |