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VERBS PATTERNS 2: GERUNDS AND INFINITIVES WITH A CHANGE IN MEANING

 

A  LANGUAGE IN CONTEXT  read the paragraph and answer the questions



 


PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE AND PFRESENT PERFECT PROGRESSIVE  OR CONTINUOUS

The present perfect simple usually focuses on the result of the activity in some way, and the present perfect continuous usually focuses on the activity itself in some way. 

Present perfect simplePresent perfect continuous
Focuses on the resultFocuses on the activity
You've cleaned the bathroom! It looks lovely!I've been gardening. It's so nice out there.
Says 'how many'Says 'how long'
She's read ten books this summer.She's been reading that book all day.
Describes a completed actionDescribes an activity which may continue
I've written you an email. I've been writing emails.
 When we can see evidence of recent activity
 The grass looks wet. Has it been raining?
I know, I'm really red. I've been running!

We use both of these tenses for finished and unfinished actions.

The present perfect simple can be used (often with 'since' and 'for') to talk about unfinished actions that started in the past and are still true in the present. It's often used with stative verbs:
  • I've known John for three years.
The present perfect continuous can also be used (often with 'since' and 'for') to talk about unfinished actions that started in the past and are still true in the present. (Of course, we don't use the present perfect continuous with stative verbs):
  • She's been living here for three years.
Sometimes there's really no difference in meaning between the two tenses. This is especially the case with verbs such as 'live', 'work' and 'study':
  • They've lived in London since 2004.
  • They've been living in London since 2004.
  • I've studied French for ten years.
  • I've been studying French for ten years.
  • He's worked at the company since 2009.
  • He's been working at our company since 2009.
Sometimes, there is a difference in meaning:

1: The present perfect continuous can be used to emphasise the length of time that has passed. The present perfect simple is generally neutral:
  • They've been waiting for hours! (This emphasises the length of time).
  • They've waited for hours. (This doesn't emphasise the length of time).
2: On the other hand, the present perfect simple is often used when we're talking about how much or how many. This isn't possible with the present perfect continuous:
  • She's drunk three cups of coffee this morning.
  • She's drunk at least a litre of coffee today.
  • (NOT: she's been drinking three cups of coffee this morning).
3: The present perfect continuous often focuses on the action itself, while the present perfect simple focuses on the fact that the action is completed:
  • I've been reading the book you recommended. (I'm enjoying it, but I'm not finished).
  • I've read the book you recommended. (I've finished it, so we can talk about it).
We use 'yet' and 'already' with the present perfect simple:
  • Have you read the book yet?
  • She's finished her work already.
This difference is often used to talk about different kinds of results in the present. The present perfect simple is used when the action is finished, and the result comes from the action being finished:
  • I've eaten dinner, so let's go out.
  • She's done all her homework, so she can relax this evening.
  • I've made a cake. Would you like some?
The present perfect continuous is used when the result comes from the action itself. It doesn't matter if the whole action is finished or not. The result is often something we can see, hear, smell, or feel:
  • I've been eating dinner, so there are plates all over the table.
  • She's been doing her homework, so she's tired.
  • I've been making a cake, that's why the kitchen is such a mess.
4: Finally, the present perfect continuous can be used to emphasise that something is temporary:
  • She's been running a lot recently. (She doesn't usually do this).
  • Usually I study at home, but I've been studying in the library for the last week.

 

 PASSIVE VOICE 

Use of Passive

Passive voice is used when the focus is on the action. It is not important or not known, however, who or what is performing the action.

Example: My bike was stolen.

In the example above, the focus is on the fact that my bike was stolen. I do not know, however, who did it.

Sometimes a statement in passive is more polite than active voice, as the following example shows:

Example: A mistake was made.

In this case, I focus on the fact that a mistake was made, but I do not blame anyone (e.g. You have made a mistake.)


EXTRA INFORMATION
https://www.ef.com.co/recursos-aprender-ingles/gramatica-inglesa/voz-pasiva/

Functions of the passive voice

The passive voice is used to show interest in the person or object that experiences an action rather than the person or object that performs the action. In other words, the most important thing or person becomes the subject of the sentence.

Examples
  • The passive voice is used frequently. (= we are interested in the passive voice, not in who uses it.)
  • The house was built in 1654. (= we are interested in the house, not in who built it.)
  • The road is being repaired. (= we are interested in the road, not in the people who are doing the repairs.)

Sometimes we use the passive voice because we don't know or do not want to express who performed the action.

Examples
  • I noticed that a window had been left open.
  • Every year thousands of people are killed on our roads.
  • All the cookies have been eaten.
  • My car has been stolen!





 

 

 

 

 

 



 

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