the present perfect progressive
Language 1
5
1 Diego's diner
Diners are very popular with New Yorkers for breakfast, lunch, and for snacks at any time. Diego has been working in his own diner for two years now. But it is hard work. He has been cooking since seven o'clock this morning and four hours later he still hasn't hod a break. Look at the pictures and decide which sentence describes which picture.
A. I hope these eggs are not mine. You left them on that plate five minutes ago, and since then they’ve just been getting cold there. B. Where are our breakfasts? Come on! We’ve been waiting for fifteen minutes already. C. Mmm! Delicious! Your bagels are the best, Diego! That’s why I’ve been coming here since January! D. Er...Oh, this is hopeless. I’ve been trying to get his attention since I came in, but the waiter doesn’t notice me! E. Hey, Diego. Someone put these three dollars on the counter for you ages ago. If you don’t want them, I’ll take them! 2
Describe the situation in the diner
a) Put the correct parts together and write the sentences down.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
for their breakfasts Diego has been cooking to get Diego’s Some people have been waiting attention Someone has been coming on the counter + The eggs have been getting to Diego’s diner Three dollars have been lying without a break One customer has been trying cold on the plate
for ages, since 7 o’clock, for five minutes, for fifteen minutes, since she came in. since last January.
b) Look at the examples of the present perfect progressive. How do you form this tense? 3 Find the rules
Look at the time phrases in your sentences from exercise 1. Compare the words and phrases that are used with for and with since. Explain when you use which preposition.
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