Tick the correct sentence in each pair.
1 a) Global weather patterns have changed for many gears. 
   b) Global weather patterns have been changing for many years. 
2 a) I'd stayed at a hotel for six months when I bought my house. 
   b) I'd been staying at a hotel for six months when I bought my house.

We use the simple aspect of tenses for actions which we think are:
●  finished: I my homework. (the homework is finished)
●  permanent: I in England for 10 years. I for this company for most of that time. (I think I will remain in England and continue to work for the same company)

We use the continuous aspect of tenses for actions which we think are:
●  unfinished or in progress: I my homework. (it isn't finished yet)
●  temporary: I in England for six months. I as an au pair: (1 think I will leave England one day - my job is temporary)

We use past perfect tenses to connect two past actions, and past perfect continuous when one event interrupts another:
I for twenty minutes when the bus arrived.
» The simple or continuous aspect applies across the entire tense system.


1. b
2. b



1)  I .............. (live) here all my life and never want to leave. 
2)  I .............. (attend) a beginner's class in Spanish for six weeks.
3)  We .............. (drive) for hours when we spotted the hotel.
4)  I .............. (take) the train for a long time. I prefer to drive.
5)  Mr Georgiou .............. (work) for the company for twenty years when he retired.
6)  The city I grew up in .............. (changed) so much, I hardly recognise it any more.
7)  I .............. (work) in an office for the past month, but my profession is acting.
8)  She .............. (always I take) good care of her finances.

I hope it is helpful for you.