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English Grammar in Use.

1.1 Complete the sentences with one of the following verbs in the correct form:

1.2 Use the words in brackets to complete the questions.

1.3 Put the verb into the correct form. Sometimes you need the negative (I'm not doing etc.).

1.4 Read this conversation between Brian and Sarah. Put the verbs into the correct form.

1.5 Complete the sentences using one of these verbs: get change rise fall increase

2.1 Complete the sentences using one of the following:

2.2 Put the verb into the correct form.

2.3 Use one of the following verbs to complete these sentences. Sometimes you need the negative:

2.4 Ask Liz questions about herself and her family.

2.5 Complete using one of the following.

3.1 Are the underlined verbs right or wrong? Correct the verbs that are wrong.

3.2 Put the verb in the correct form, present continuous or present simple.

4.1 Are the underlined verbs right or wrong? Correct the ones that are wrong.

4.3 Put the verb into the correct form, present continuous or present simple.

4.4 Complete the sentences using the most suitable form of be. Sometimes you must use the simple (am/is/are) and sometimes the continuous is more suitable (am/is/are being).

5.1 Read what Sharon says about a typical working day:

5.2 Put one of these verbs in each sentence:

5.3 A friend has just come back from holiday. You ask him about it. Write your questions.

5.4 Complete the sentences, Put the verb into the correct form, positive or negative.

6.1 What were you doing at the following times? Write one sentence as in the examples. The past continuous is not always necessary (see the second example).

6.2 Use your own ideas to complete these sentences. Use the past continuous.

6.3 Put the verbs into the correct form, past continuous or past simple.

6.4 Put the verbs into the correct form, past continuous or past simple.

7.1 You are writing a letter to a friend. In the letter you give news about yourself and other people. Use the words given to make sentences. Use the present perfect.

7.2 Read the situations and write sentences. Choose one of the following:

7.4 Read the situations and write sentences with just, already or yet.

7.5 Put in been or gone.

8.1 You are asking somebody questions about things he or she has done. Make questions from the words in brackets.

8.2 Complete Bs answers. Some sentences are positive and some negative. Use a verb from this list:

8.3 Complete these sentences using today/this year/this term etc.

8.4 Read the situations and write sentences as shown in the examples.

9.1 What have these people been doing or what has been happening?

9.2 Write a question for each situation.

9.3 Read the situations and complete the sentences.

10.1 Read the situations and write two sentences using the words in brackets.

10.2 For each situation, ask a question using the words in brackets.

10.3 Put the verb into the more suitable form, present perfect simple (I have done etc.) or continuous (I have been doing etc.).

11.1 Are the underlined verbs right or wrong? Correct them if they are wrong.

11.2 Read the situations and write questions from the words in brackets.

11.3 Complete Bs answers to a's questions.

12.1 Write questions with how long and when.

12.2 Read the situations and complete the sentences beginning in the way shown.

12.3 Put in for or since.

12.4 Write Bs sentences using the words in brackets.

13.1 What has happened in these situations?

13.2 Put the verbs in brackets in the correct form, present perfect or past simple.

13.3 Are the underlined parts of these sentences right or wrong? Correct the ones that are wrong.

13.4 (Section c) Put the verb into the most suitable form, present perfect or past simple.

14.1 Are the underlined parts of these sentences right or wrong? Correct the ones that are wrong.

14.2 Make sentences from the words in brackets. Use the present perfect or past simple.

14.3 Put the verb into the correct form, present perfect or past simple.

14.4 Write sentences about yourself using the ideas in brackets.

15.1 Read the situations and write sentences from the words in brackets.

15.2 Read the situations and write sentences ending with before. Use the verb given in brackets.

15.4 Put the verb into the correct form, past perfect (I had done etc.) or past simple (I did etc.).

16.1 Read the situations and make sentences from the words in brackets.

16.2 Read the situations and complete the sentences.

16.3 Put the verb into the most suitable form, past continuous (I was doing), past perfect (I had done) or past perfect continuous (I had been doing).

17.1 Write negative sentences with have. Some are present (can't) and some are past (couldn't).

17.2 Complete these questions with have. Some are present and some are past.

17.3 In this exercise you have to write sentences about yourself. Choose four of the following things (or you can choose something else):

17.4 Complete these sentences. Use an expression from the list and put the verb into the correct form where necessary.

18.2 Brian changed his lifestyle. He stopped doing some things and started doing other things:

18.3 Compare what Carol said five years ago and what she says today:

19.1 A friend of yours is planning to go on holiday soon. You ask her about her plans. Use the words in brackets to make your questions.

19.2 Tom wants you to visit him but you are very busy. Look at your diary for the next few days and explain to him why you can't come.

19.3 Have you arranged to do anything at these times? Write (true) sentences about yourself.

19.4 Put the verb into the more suitable form, present continuous or present simple.

20.1 Answer the questions. You are going to do all these things but you haven't done them yet. Use going to and the word(s) in brackets.

20.2 Write a question with going to for each situation.

20.3 Read the situations and complete the dialogues. Use going to.

20.4 What is going to happen in these situations? Use the words in brackets.

21.2 Read the situations and write sentences with I think I'll ... Or I don't think I'll ...

21.3 Which is correct? (If necessary, study Units 19-20 first.)

21.4 What do you say in these situations? Write sentences with shall I ...? or shall we ...?

22.1 Which form of the verb is correct (or more natural) in these sentences? The verbs are underlined.

22.3 Put in will ('ll) or won't.

22.4 Where will you be at these times? Write true sentences about yourself. Use one of these:

23.1 Complete the sentences using will ('ll) or going to.

23.2 Read the situations and complete the sentences using will ('ll) or going to.

24.1 Read about Colin. Then you have to tick (V) the sentences which are true. In each group of sentences at least one is true.

24.2 Put the verb into the correct form, will be (do)ing or will have (done).

25.1 Complete these sentences using the verbs in brackets. All the sentences are about the future. Use will/won't or the present simple (I see/he plays/it is etc.).

25.2 Make one sentence from two.

25.3 Read the situations and complete the sentences.

25.4 Put in when or if.

26.1 Complete the sentences using can or (be) able to. Use can if possible; otherwise use (be) able to.

26.2 Write sentences about yourself using the ideas in brackets.

26.4 Complete the answers to the questions with was/were able to.

26.5 Complete the sentences using could, couldn't or was/were able to.

27.1 Answer the questions with a suggestion. Use could.

27.2 Put in can or could. Sometimes either word is possible.

27.4 Read this information about Ken:

28.1 Put in must or can't.

28.2 Complete the sentences with a verb in the correct form.

28.3 Read the situations and use the words in brackets to write sentences with must have and can't have.

29.1 Write these sentences in a different way using may or might.

29.2 Complete the sentences with a verb in the correct form.

29.3 Read the situations and make sentences from the words in brackets. Use may or might.

29.4 Complete the sentences using might not or couldn't.

30. Write sentences with may or might.

30.4 Write sentences with may not or might not.

30.5 Read the situations and make sentences with may/might as well.

31.1 Complete these sentences with must or have to (in the correct form). Sometimes it is possible to use either; sometimes only have to is possible.

31.2 Make questions with have to.

31.4 Complete these sentences with mustn't or don't/doesn't have to.

32.2 Complete the sentences with must, mustn't or needn't.

32.3 Read the situations and make sentences with needn't have.

32.4 Write two sentences for each situation. Use needn't have in the first sentence and could have in the second (as in the example). For could have see Unit 27.

33.2 Read the situations and write sentences with I think/I don't think ... Should...

33.4 Read the situations and write sentences with should/shouldn't. Some of the sentences are past and some are present.

34.1 Write a sentence (beginning in the way shown) that means the same as the first sentence.

34.2 Are these sentences right or wrong?

34.4 Complete these sentences using if ... Should... .

35.1 Complete the sentences. Sometimes you need only one word, sometimes two.

35.2 Read the situations and write sentences with had better. Use the words in brackets.

35.3 Put in had better or should. Sometimes either is possible.

35.4 Read the situations and write sentences with It's time (somebody did something).

36.1 Read the situations and write questions beginning Can ... Or Could ...

36.2 Read the situations and write questions beginning Do you think ...

36.3 What would you say in these situations?

37.1 Put the verb into the correct form.

37.2 You ask a friend questions. Use What would you do if ...?

37.3 Answer the questions in the way shown.

37.4 Use your own ideas to complete these sentences.

38.1 Put the verb into the correct form.

38.2 Write a sentence with If ... For each situation.

38.3 Write sentences beginning I wish ...

38.4 Write your own sentences beginning I wish ...

39.1 Put the verb into the correct form.

39.2 Write a sentence with if for each situation.

39.3 Imagine that you are in these situations. For each situation, write a sentence with I wish ...

40.2 Write sentences using promised.

40.3 What do you say in these situations? Write sentences with I wish ... Would ...

40.4 Are these sentences right or wrong? Correct the ones that are wrong.

40.5 These sentences are about things that often happened in the past. Complete the sentences using

41.1 Complete the sentences using one of these verbs in the correct form:

41.2 Write questions using the passive. Some are present and some are past.

41.3 Put the verb into the correct form, present simple or past simple, active or passive.

41.4 Rewrite these sentences. Instead of using 'somebody/they/people' etc. Write a passive sentence.

42.1 What do these words mean? Use it can ... Or it can't... . Use a dictionary if necessary.

42.2 Complete these sentences with one of the following verbs (in the correct form):

42.3 Rewrite these sentences. Instead of using 'somebody' or 'they', write a passive sentence.

42.4 Make sentences from the words in brackets. Sometimes the verb is active, sometimes passive. (This exercise also includes the past simple--see Unit 41 c.)

43.1 When were they born? Choose five of these people and write a sentence for each. (Two of them were born in the same year.)

43.2 Write these sentences in another way, beginning in the way shown.

44.1 Write these sentences in another way, beginning as shown. Use the underlined word in your sentence.

44.2 People say a lot of things about Arthur. For example:

45.1 Tick (V) the correct sentence, (a) or (b), for each picture.

45.2 Why did you do these things? Answer using 'have something done'. Use one of these verbs:

45.3 Write sentences in the way shown.

45.4 Use the words in brackets to complete the sentences. Use the structure 'have something done'.

45.5 Now you have to use 'have something done' with its second meaning (see Section c).

46.1 Yesterday you met a friend of yours, Charlie. Here are some of the things Charlie said to you:

46.2 Somebody says something to you which is the opposite of what they said before. Write a suitable answer beginning I thought you said ....

47.1 Here are some things that Ann said to you:

47.2 Complete the sentences with say or tell (in the correct form). Use only one word each time.

47.3 (Section c) The following sentences are direct speech:

48.1 Ask Liz questions. (Look at her answers before you write the questions.)

48.2 Make questions with who or what.

48.3 Put the words in brackets in the correct order. All the sentences are questions.

48.4 Write negative questions from the words in brackets. In each situation you are surprised.

49.1 Make a new sentence from the question in brackets.

49.2 You are making a phone call. You want to speak to Sue but she isn't there. Somebody else answers the phone. You want to know three things:

49.3 You have been away for a while and have just come back to your home town. You meet Gerry, a friend of yours. He asks you a lot of questions:

50.1 Complete the sentences with an auxiliary verb (do/was/could/should etc.). Sometimes the verb must be negative (don't/wasn't etc.).

50.2 You never agree with Sue. Answer in the way shown.

50.3 You are talking to Tina. Write true sentences about Yourself. Reply with So ... Or Neither... If suitable. Study the two examples carefully.

50.4 In these conversations, you are b. Read the information in brackets and then answer with I think so, I hope not etc.

51.1 Put a question tag on the end of these sentences.

51.2 Read the situation and write a sentence with a question tag. In each situation you are asking your friend to agree with you.

52.1 Complete each sentence with one of these verbs:

1.1 Regular verbs

1.2 Irregular verbs

1.3 The following verbs can be regular or irregular:

1.4 List of irregular verbs

2. Choose the right alternative.

4. Use your own ideas to complete b's sentences.

5. Put the verb in the correct form, past simple (I did), past continuous (I was doing), past perfect (I had done) or past perfect continuous (I had been doing).

7. Put the verbs into the correct form.

8. Put the verb into the most suitable form.

9. Complete the sentences using the past continuous (was doing) or used to ... Use the verb in brackets.

10. What do you say to your friend in these situations? Use the words given in brackets. Use the present continuous (I am doing), going to... Or will (I'll).

11. Put the verb into the most suitable form. Use a present tense (simple or continuous), will (I'll) or shall.

12. Put the verbs in the most suitable form. Sometimes there is more than one possibility.

13. Put the verb into the correct form. Choose from the following:

15. Make sentences from the words in brackets.

16. Put the verb into the correct form.

17. Complete the sentences.

18. Use your own ideas to complete these sentences.

19. Put the verb into the correct form.

20. Put the verb into the most suitable passive form.

21. Put the verb into the correct form, active or passive.

22. Read these newspaper reports and put the verbs into the most suitable form.

23. Put the verb into the correct form.

24. Make sentences from the words in brackets.

25. Complete the second sentence so that the meaning is similar to the first.

26. Put in a/an or the where necessary. Leave an empty space (-) if the sentence is already complete.

27. Choose the right alternative.

28. Put in one of the following prepositions: at on in for since during by until

29. Put in the missing preposition.

30. Put in the missing preposition.

31. Put in a preposition where necessary. If the sentence is already complete, leave an empty space (-).

Study guide

If you are not sure which is right

Key to exercises

Key to study guide(see page 301)

6.1 What were you doing at the following times? Write one sentence as in the examples. The past continuous is not always necessary (see the second example).

1. (at 8 o'clock yesterday evening)

I was having dinner with some friends.

2. (at 5 o'clock last Saturday)

I was on a train on my way to London.

3. (at 10.15 yesterday morning)

4. (at 4.30 this morning)

5. (at 7.45 yesterday evening)

6. (half an hour ago)

6.2 Use your own ideas to complete these sentences. Use the past continuous.

1. Tom burnt his hand while he was cooking the dinner.

2. The doorbell rang while I ---

3. We saw an accident while we ---

4. Mary fell asleep while she ---

5. The television was on but nobody ---

6.3 Put the verbs into the correct form, past continuous or past simple.

1. I saw (see) Sue in town yesterday but she --- (look) the other way.

2. I --- (meet) Tom and Ann at the airport a few weeks ago. They --- (go) to Berlin and I --- (go) to Madrid. We --- (have) a chat while we --- (wait) for our flights.

3. I --- (cycle) home yesterday when suddenly a man --- (step) out into the road in front of me. I --- (go) quite fast but luckily I --- (manage) to stop in time and --- (not/hit) him.

6.4 Put the verbs into the correct form, past continuous or past simple.

1. Jane was waiting (wait) for me when I arrived (arrive).

2. 'What --- (you/do) this time yesterday?' 'I was asleep.'

3. '--- (you/go) out last night?' 'No, I was too tired.'

4. 'Was Carol at the party last night?' 'Yes, she --- (wear) a really nice dress.'

5. How fast --- (you/drive) when the accident --- (happen)?

6. John --- (take) a photograph of me while I --- (not/look).

7. We were in a very difficult position. We --- (not/know) what to do.

8. I haven't seen Alan for ages. When I last --- (see) him, he --- (try) to find a Job in London.

9. I --- (walk) along the street when suddenly I --- (hear) footsteps behind me. Somebody --- (follow) me. I was frightened and I --- (start) to run.

10. When I was young, I --- (want) to be a bus driver.

UNIT 7 Present perfect (1) (I have done)

A. Study this example situation:

Tom is looking for his key. He can't find it. He has lost his key. 'He has lost his key' = He lost it and he still hasn't got it.

Have/has lost is the present perfect simple:

I/we/they/you have (= I've etc.) finished/lost/done/been etc.

he/she/it has (= he's etc.) finished/lost/done/been etc.

The present perfect simple is have/has + past participle. The past participle often ends in -ed (finished/decided etc.), but many important verbs are irregular (lost/done/been/written etc.). For a list of irregular verbs, see Appendix 1.

B. When we use the present perfect there is always a connection with now. The action in the past has a result now:

* 'Where's your key?' J don't know. I've lost it.' (I haven't got it now)

* He told me his name but I've forgotten it. (I can't remember it now)

* 'Is Sally here?' 'No, she's gone out.' (she is out now)

* I can't find my bag. Have you seen it? (do you know where it is now?)

We often use the present perfect to give new information or to announce a recent happening:

* Ow! I've cut my finger.

* The road is closed. There's been (= there has been) an accident.

* (from the news) The police have arrested two men in connection with the robbery.

C. You can use the present perfect with just, already and yet:

Just = a short time ago:

* 'Would you like something to eat?' 'No, thanks. I've just had lunch.'

* Hello. Have you just arrived?

We use already to say that something happened sooner than expected (see also Unit 110D).

* 'Don't forget to post the letter, will you?' 'I've already posted it.'


* 'What time is Mark leaving?' 'He's already gone.'

Yet = 'until now' and shows that the speaker is expecting something to happen. Use yet only in questions and negative sentences (see also Unit 110C):

* Has it stopped raining yet?

* I've written the letter but I haven't posted it yet.

D. Note the difference between gone (to) and been (to):

* Jim is away on holiday. He has gone to Spain. (= he is there now or on his way there)

* Jane is back home from holiday now. She has been to Italy. (= she has now come back from Italy)

For been (to) see also Units 8 and 125B.

EXERCISES


7.1 You are writing a letter to a friend. In the letter you give news about yourself and other people. Use the words given to make sentences. Use the present perfect.

Dear Chris,

Lots of things have happened since I last wrote to you.

1. I/buy/a new car

I've bought a new car.

2. my father/start/a new job

3. I/give up/smoking

4. Charles and Sarah/go/to Brazil

5. Suzanne/have/a baby

7.2 Read the situations and write sentences. Choose one of the following:

arrive break go up grow improve lose

1. Mike is looking for his key. He can't find it. He has lost his key.

2. Margaret can't walk and her leg is in plaster. She ---

3. Maria's English wasn't very good. Now it is much better. ---

4. Tim didn't have a beard last month. Now he has a beard. ---

5. This morning I was expecting a letter. Now I have it. ---

6. Last week the bus fare was 80 pence. Now it is 90. ---

7.3 Complete Bs sentences. Use the verb in brackets + just/already/yet (as sbown).

1. A: Would you like something to eat?

B: No, thanks. I've just had lunch. (just/have)

2. A: Do you know where Julia is?

B: Yes, I --- her. (just/see)

3. A: What time is David leaving?

B: He --- (already/leave)

4. A: What's in the newspaper today?

B: I don't know. I --- (not/read/yet)

5. A: Is Ann coming to the cinema with us?

B: No, she --- the film. (already/see)

6. A: Are your friends here yet?

B: Yes, they --- (just/arrive)

7. A: What does Tim think about your plan?

B: I --- (not/tell/yet)

7.4 Read the situations and write sentences with just, already or yet.

1. After lunch you go to see a friend at her house. She says 'Would you like something to eat?'

You say: No, thank you. I've just had lunch. (have lunch)

2. Joe goes out. Five minutes later, the phone rings and the caller says 'Can I speak to Joe?'

You say: I'm afraid --- (go out)

3. You are eating in a restaurant. The waiter thinks you have finished and starts to take your plate away.

You say: Wait a minute! --- (not/finish)

4. You are going to a restaurant this evening. You phone to reserve a table. Later your friend says 'Shall I phone to reserve a table?'

You say: No --- it. (do)

5. You know that a friend of yours is looking for a job. Perhaps she has been successful. Ask her.

You say: ---? (find)

6. Ann went to the bank, but a few minutes ago she returned. Somebody asks 'Is Ann still at the bank?'

You say: No, --- (come back)

7.5 Put in been or gone.

1. Jim is on holiday. He's gone to Italy.

2. Hello! I've just --- to the shops. I've bought lots of things.

3. Alice isn't here at the moment. She's --- to the shop to get a newspaper.

4. Tom has. --- out. He'll be back in about an hour.

5. 'Are you going to the bank?' 'No, I've already --- to the bank.'

UNIT 8. Present perfect (2) (I have done)

A. Study this example conversation:

DAVE: Have you travelled a lot, Jane?

JANE: Yes, I've been to lots of places.

DAVE: Really? Have you ever been to China?

JANE: Yes, I've been to China twice.

DAVE: What about India?

JANE: No, I haven't been to India.

When we talk about a period of time that continues from the past until now, we use the present perfect (have been/have travelled etc.). Here, Dave and Jane are talking about the places Jane has visited in her life (which is a period that continues until now).

* Have you ever eaten caviar? (in your life)

* We've never had a car.

* 'Have you read Hamlet?' 'No, I haven't read any of Shakespeare's plays.'

* Susan really loves that film. She's seen it eight times!

* What a boring film! It's the most boring film I've ever seen.

In the following examples too the speakers are talking about a period that continues until now (recently/in the last few days/so far/since breakfast etc.):

* Have you heard from George recently?


* I've met a lot of people in the last few days.

* Everything is going well. We haven't had any problems so far.

* I'm hungry. I haven't eaten anything since breakfast. (= from breakfast until now)

* It's nice to see you again. We haven't seen each other for a long time.

B. We use the present perfect with today/this morning/this evening etc. when these periods are not finished at the time of speaking (see also Unit 14B):

* I've drunk four cups of coffee today. (perhaps I'll drink more before today is finished)

* Have you had a holiday this year (yet)?

* I haven't seen Tom this morning. Have you?

* Ron hasn't worked very hard this term.

C. Note that we say 'It's the first time something has happened' (present perfect). For example:

Don is having a driving lesson. He is very nervous and unsure because it is his first lesson.

* It's the first time he has driven a car. (not 'drives') or He has never driven a car before.

* Linda has lost her passport again. It's the second time this has happened. (not 'happens')

* This is a lovely meal. It's the first good meal I've had for ages. (not 'I have')

* Bill is phoning his girlfriend again. That's the third time he's phoned her this evening.

EXERCISES


8.1 You are asking somebody questions about things he or she has done. Make questions from the words in brackets.

1. (ever/ride/horse?)

Have you ever ridden a horse?

2. (ever/be/California?)

3. (ever/run/marathon?)

4. (ever/speak/famous person?)

5. (always/live/in this town?)

6. (most beautiful place/ever/visit?) What

8.2 Complete Bs answers. Some sentences are positive and some negative. Use a verb from this list:

be be cat happen have meet play read see see try

1 A: What's George's sister like?

B: I've no idea. I've never met her.

2. A: How is Amy these days?

B: I don't know. I --- her recently.

3. A: Are you hungry?

B: Yes. I --- much today.

4. A: Can you play chess?

B: Yes, but --- for ages.

5. A: Did you enjoy your holiday?

B: Yes, it's the best holiday --- for a long time.

6. A: What's that book like?

B: I don't know ---

7. A: Is Brussels an interesting place?

B: I've no idea --- there.

8. A: Mike was late for work again today.

B: Again? He --- every day this week.

9. A: Do you like caviar?

B: I don't know ---

10. A: The car broke down again yesterday.

B: Not again! That's the second time --- this week.

11. Who's that woman by the door)

B: I don't know --- before.)

8.3 Complete these sentences using today/this year/this term etc.

1. I saw Tom yesterday but I haven't seen him today.

2. I read a newspaper yesterday but I --- today.

3. Last year the company made a profit but this year ---

4. Tracy worked hard at school last term but ---

5. It snowed a lot last winter but ---

6. Our football team won a lot of games last season but we ---

8.4 Read the situations and write sentences as shown in the examples.

1. Jack is driving a car but he's very nervous and not sure what to do.

You ask: Have you driven a car before?

2. Len is playing tennis. He's not very good and he doesn't know the rules.

You ask: Have ---

3. Sue is riding a horse. She doesn't look very confident or comfortable.

You ask: ---

She says: ---

4. Maria is in London. She has just arrived and it's very new for her.

You ask: ---

She says: ---

UNIT 9. Present perfect continuous (I have been doing)

A. It has been raining. Study this example situation:

Is it raining? No, but the ground is wet.

It has been raining.

Have/has been ~ing is the present perfect continuous:

I/we/they/you have (= I've etc.) been doing/waiting/playing etc.

he/she/it has (= he's etc.) been doing/waiting/playing etc.

We use the present perfect continuous for an activity that has recently stopped or just stopped. There is a connection with now:

* You're out of breath. Have you been running? (you're out of breath now)

* Paul is very tired. He's been working very hard. (he's tired now)

* Why are your clothes so dirty? What have you been doing?

* I've been talking to Carol about the problem and she thinks that ...

B. It has been raining for two hours. Study this example situation:

It is raining now. It began raining two hours ago and it is still raining.

How long has it been raining?

It has been raining for two hours.

We often use the present perfect continuous in this way, especially with how long, for ... and since ... The activity is still happening (as in this example) or has just stopped.

* How long have you been learning English? (you're still learning English)

* Tim is still watching television. He's been watching television all day.

* Where have you been? I've been looking for you for the last half hour.

* George hasn't been feeling well recently.

You can use the present perfect continuous for actions repeated over a period of time:

Debbie is a very good tennis player. She's been playing since she was eight.

Every morning they meet in the same cafe. They've been going there for years.