Helen is on holiday in Ireland. She is there now.
She arrived in Ireland on Monday. Today is Thursday.
How long has she been in Ireland?
She has been in Ireland
{ since Monday
{ for three days
Compare is and had been:
She is in Ireland now is present
She has been in Ireland
{ sine Monday for three days has been = present perfect.
Monday now Thursday
Compare.
Present simple: present perfect (have been / have lived / have known etc...):
Dan and Kate are married. They have been married for five years
(not They are married for five years)
Are you married? How long have you been married?
(not How long are you married?)
Do you know Lisa? How long have you known her?
(not How long do you know her?)
I know Lisa. I've known her for a long time.
(not I know her ...)
Vicky lives in London. How long has she lived in London?
she has lived there all her life.
I have a car. How long have you had your car?
I've had it since April
Present continuous. present perfect (have been + -ing)
I'm learning German. How long have you been learning German?
(not how long are you learning German?)
I've been learning German for two years.
David is watching TV How long has he been watching TV?
He's been (= He has been) watching TV since 5 o'clock.
It's raining It's been (= It has been) raining all day.
Make sentences use present perfect:
1. Helen is Ireland. She has been in Ireland since Monday.
2. I know Lisa. I have known her for a long time.
3. Sarah and Andy are married. They have been married since 2010.
4. Ben is ill. He has been ill for the last few days.
5. We live in Scott Road. We have lived / have been living there for a long time.
6. Catherine works in a bank. She has worked / has been working there for five years?
7. Alan has a headache. He has had a headache since he got up this morning.
8. I'm learning English. I have been learning English for six months.
Make questions answers with How long...?
1. Helen is on holiday = How long has she been on holiday?
2. Steve and Nadia are in Brazil = How long has have they been there?
3. I know Amy = How long have you known her?
4. Emily is learning Italian = How long has she been learning Italian?
5. My brother lives in Canada = How long has he lived in Canada?
6. I'm a teacher = How long have you been a teacher?
7. It is raining = How long has it been raining?
1. They have been married for ten years.
2. She has lived in Wales all her life.
3. They have been on holiday since Sunday.
4. The sun has been shining all day.
5. She has been waiting for ten minutes.
6. He has had a beard since he was 20.
7. Mark has lived in Canada since April.
8. Jane and I are friends. I've known her very well.
9. A: Sorry I'm late. How long are you have you been waiting ?
B: Not long. Only five minutes.
10. Luke works in a hotel now. He likes his job a lot.
11. Ruth is reading a newspaper. She has been reading it for two hours.
12. How long have you lived in this house? 'about ten years'.
13. Is that a new coat? No, I've had this coat for a long time.
14. Tom is at the moment. He has been there for the last three days.
