The Present Perfect Continuous Tense

One of my intermediate level classes recenly practiced the present perfect continuous tense. This is used for activities that began in the past and are continuing now, so you can't apply it to every situation, but it's very popular in conversation.

I have been teaching English for the last 20 years.

In the example above, the activity (teaching) started 20 years ago and has continued nonstop up to this moment in time.

Nadia has been working at that bakery since last August.

They've been eating a lot of potatoes lately.

We've been preparing for the holidays since November. �

Should

This week we continue to learn about modal verbs. The lesson featured today is the same as the one featured on Friday because it's so important and it takes time to learn how to use all the different modal verbs. Let's look at "should." This modal is used to express when something is a good idea, a recommendation.

The doctor said that you should try to eat more fruit.

Everyone should try to help those who are in need.

You shouldn't smoke. It's very dangerous to your health. �

"Should" is often used in place of "shall" in American English. "Shall" is not very popular in the United States although it's commonly used in other countries where English is spoken. If you do hear "shall" used, it sounds like this: Shall we go? (Do you want to leave?) And that's about it. �

Modal Verbs

Today's lesson is on modal verbs. Following a modal verb (can, could, will, would, may, might, must, should) is the main verb in the simple form. I think it's helpful to use the verbs "be" and "do" as the main verb when teaching beginning level student how to use modal verbs for the first time. I've also noticed that some of my intermediate level students don't consider "be" and "do" as main verbs because they are also used as helping verbs.

modal verb + be

A: Where will you be today?

B: I'll be at work.



modal verb + do


A: Can I do this work tomorrow?

B: Yes, but you must finish it by then.

For more practice with modal verbs, click here. �

The Past Continuous Tense

Where were you living a year ago? Where were you working ten years ago? How much studying were you doing last weekend? These are all examples of the past continuous which is used to describe continuous activities in the past. You can't use if for everything, and sometimes the simple past tense is good enough, but try not to confuse if with other tenses.

To make the past continuous: Subject + (be: was or were) + ______ing. The main verb is in the simple form--represented by the the big blank space--and you add "ing" to that. Here are some examples:

She wasn't having much fun at the party, so she went home early.

I tried calling you last night but you didn't answer. What were you doing?

I was living in Chicago in the 1990s at the same time that Barack Obama was living there.

For more practice, click here. �

comparative adjectives

The comparative form is used when describing the difference between two things. Today's lesson focuses on adjectives, but you can also make comparisons with adverbs and nouns.

The comparative form for adjectives:

The weather today is worse than the weather we had yesterday.

This lasagna that you made is better than the stuff we ate at that terrible restaurant.

The grocery stores are more expensive here than where I used to live.

The Verb "Have"

Today's lesson features the verb "have." It's important to know that this word is used as a main verb and as a helping verb in the present perfect.

They have a lot of time to go shopping today. (present tense)

She doesn't have a car. (present tense, negative)

He had a test yesterday. (past tense)

We didn't have anything to do at work last night. (past tense, negative)

I have had the same car for the last ten years. (present perfect)

You haven't had enough time to study English online (present perfect, negative)�

The Present Perfect

Because we're going to start studying the present perfect this month, it's necessary to look at some differences among the present tense, the past tense, and the present perfect all at the same time.

The present tense is used for every day:

I go to school Monday through Friday.

The past tense is used for yesterday, last week, last year:

I went to school every day last week.

The present perfect is used to show a length of time or some indefinite amount of time:

I have gone to that school for the last three years.

The present perfect is one of the most important tenses for conversational English. In fact, one of the first questions asked of someone who is new to the United States is, "How long have you lived here?" You answer this way: "I have lived here for _______," or "I have lived here since _______.

I like to teach the present perfect because it really helps people at the intermediate level of English to improve. But you must know your past participles, especially for irregular verbs, so start studying them now. �