2. Paco has been waiting for a taxi

Icono IDevice Reading activity

At the train station there were lots of people rushing, getting on and off trains, saying goodbye to friends, family, girlfriends, boyfriends..., welcoming them... Outside the station there were no taxis left so Paco sat down and waited.

After a short while, a taxi arrived and Paco got on with his luggage. Typical taxis in Edinburgh, as in many other British cities, are big black taxis which can carry up to five or six people (apart from the driver!).

The driver seemed a very friendly man and was talking to Paco all the way to the hotel:

-So what have you been doing so far?

-I have been visiting England. It was great!

-Your English is really good.

-I have been learning English lately and also I have been practising as much as possible in England.

-And what are you doing in Edinburgh?

-I have been reading some leaflets and I would like to visit the castle, the cathedrals, the National Museum of Scotland...

After about 20 minutes, the taxi arrived at Paco's hotel.

-Here we are. It's 26 pounds, please.

By nihan peker, C. Commons

 


What verbs are in the present perfect continuous? It's easy! Remember the word "continuous" always suggests an -ing form!


Icono de iDevice Actividad de Espacios en Blanco
Complete the rules with the most suitable words or phrases:

1. The Present Perfect Simple is formed with + the past of the main verb.

2. The Present Perfect Continuous is formed with + + the form of the main verb.

3. The Present Perfect is used to talk about experiences, where there is always a connection with the present and with the past. The results are more important to us than the activity.

4. The Present Perfect is used to talk about situations or repeated actions that continue to the present and perhaps into the future. Here we are more interested in the activity itself.

  

Icono IDevice Further knowledge
If you want to learn more about the Present Perfect Continuous or Progressive, have a look at this website. If you want to practice a bit, click here.

Icono IDevice Curiosity
Rolling the 'r'

Listen to the following man talking about Scottish accent. What does roll the 'r' mean? You don't need to understand everything but only the main idea.

You are right! Scottish pronunciation of 'r' is very similar to the Spanish way.

 


Icono IDevice Listening/ Speaking Activity

You must know that, when speaking, we normally use the contracted forms 've and 's for have and has.

Listen to the following sentences, paying attention to the pronunciation.

 

1. He's been on the Scottish Pullman for over an hour now.

2. He's enjoyed London a lot.

3. He's never read a real English book before!

4. He's seen all the Harry Potter films.

5. They've just had a baby.

6. I've been learning English lately.

7. I've been practising as much as possible in England.

8. I've been reading some leaflets.


 

By steveyb, C. Commons

Now practice them.

 



We have already seen the present perfect simple and continuous tenses in this topic. Now we are going to see singular and plural nouns in the next section. Let's go!
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