English grammar
Recap: present perfect continuous (how long) vs present perfect simple (how many so far)
Talk about how long something has been going on and how many things you have done so far.
From the scene How many jobs is that now?
In short
Use the present perfect continuous for how long: I've been waiting an hour. Use the simple to count results: I've had seventeen.
Your turn
Which one goes with how long (activity)?
Options: I've been delivering books all afternoon · we've been waiting an hour · how many jobs have you had?
Show answer
how long (activity) → I've been delivering books all afternoon
How it works
The present perfect continuous says how long an activity has been going on: we've been waiting an hour, I've been delivering books all afternoon.
Good to know
When you count results so far, use the simple: how many jobs have you had? I've had seventeen (never I've been having seventeen).
Good to know
End up + -ing means "finally do, without planning to".
how long (activity) we've been waiting an hour
Nuria
We've been waiting an hour for Javi. Where can he have got to?
Llevamos una hora esperando a Javi. ¿Dónde se habrá metido?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) for Javi. Where can he have got to?
Options: I've been delivering books all afternoon · How many jobs have you had · We've been waiting an hour
Show answer
Nuria
We've been waiting an hour for Javi. Where can he have got to?
Llevamos una hora esperando a Javi. ¿Dónde se habrá metido?
how long (activity) I've been delivering books all afternoon
Javi
Sorry, sorry! I've been delivering books all afternoon around Madrid.
¡Perdón, perdón! Llevo toda la tarde repartiendo libros por Madrid.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Sorry, sorry! (blank) around Madrid.
Options: How many jobs have you had · I've been delivering books all afternoon · We've been waiting an hour
Show answer
Javi
Sorry, sorry! I've been delivering books all afternoon around Madrid.
¡Perdón, perdón! Llevo toda la tarde repartiendo libros por Madrid.
how many so far (question) how many jobs have you had?
Ramón
Let's see, Javi, how many jobs have you had since I've known you?
A ver, Javi, ¿cuántos trabajos llevas desde que te conozco?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Let's see, Javi, (blank) since I've known you?
Options: we've been waiting an hour · I've been delivering books all afternoon · how many jobs have you had
Show answer
Ramón
Let's see, Javi, how many jobs have you had since I've known you?
A ver, Javi, ¿cuántos trabajos llevas desde que te conozco?
how many so far (answer) I've had seventeen
Your turn
What goes with I've had seventeen?
Options: how long (activity) · how long (activity) · how many so far (answer)
Show answer
I've had seventeen → how many so far (answer)
the result in the end you always end up quitting them
Common mistake
Not been having or having here. Counting the jobs so far.
I've had... let's see... seventeen.
Llevo contados... a ver... diecisiete.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| how long (activity) | we've been waiting an hour |
|---|---|
| how long (activity) | I've been delivering books all afternoon |
| how many so far (question) | how many jobs have you had? |
| how many so far (answer) | I've had seventeen |
| the result in the end | you always end up quitting them |
More lines from the story
- JaviI've had... let's see... seventeen.Llevo contados... a ver... diecisiete.
- RamónWell, how very punctual! Only an hour late.¡Hombre, qué puntual! Solo una hora tarde.
- JaviOfficial fiancé. No pay... and for life.Novio oficial. Sin sueldo... y para toda la vida.