How long…?

English course · B1 · Intermediate · 6 short videos

Goal — I can say how long I've been doing something.

Grammar — present perfect continuous (I've been working), for / since, How long have you…?

Words — team, company, since, for, lately, recently, meeting, still, order, getting cold, colleague

The videos of this unit

Mia's first day at the agency.

Priya You must be Mia. Welcome to the team!

Mia Thanks! How long have you been working here?

Priya For five years. Since the company started.

Mia Wow. Do you like it?

Priya I love it. Except the Monday meetings.

Mia What happens on Mondays?

Priya Oh, you'll see…

Useful expression How long have you been working here? — Ask it about something that started in the past and continues now.

Zoe is not happy.

Zoe Where are you?? I've been waiting for thirty minutes!

Mia So sorry! The meeting is still going on.

Zoe You've been saying that since six o'clock.

Mia I know… my boss loves talking.

Zoe I've ordered for you. Your pasta is getting cold!

Useful expression I've been waiting for thirty minutes! — Say how long something has been going on.

Talk about the last few weeks.

Word lately /ˈleɪtli/ — Recently, in the last days or weeks.

Stop saying “I live here since 2020”.

Common mistake ~~I live here since 2020.~~ → I've lived here since 2020. / I've been living here since 2020.

Why: When something started in the past and is still true, use the present perfect, not the present.

Sand… or chocolate cake?

Word desert /ˈdezət/ / dessert /dɪˈzɜːt/

For or since?: 4 questions!