hello and welcome to speak American English with Lyman Holton my name is
Lyman Holton in this lesson we're going to talk about American English grammar
are you ready let's begin we're looking at how long have you been doing
something let's talk about that how long have you been working here how long have
you been living in your mouth how long have you been married now we could
change this around how long has she been working here how long have they been
living in Europe Alaska wherever it might be now to answer those questions
we have a choice here we can use something that is a period of time or we
could use something that's a point in time if we use the word for we're
talking about a period of time if we're talking about since we're talking about
since a point in time now right now while I'm making this video it is 2016
so three years ago 2013 2014 2015 2016 three years ago so I could answer the
question how long have you been working here I've been working here for three
years I have been working here since 2013 means the same thing two different
ways to say it I've been working here since 2013 I've been working here for
three years I've been married for three years I've
been living in Europe for 10 years I've been living in europe since 2006 they
mean the same thing all right let's go a little bit further with this now I
challenge you to tell me how long you've been doing something do you think you
could make up some sentences how long you have been doing something ask
someone how long they've been doing something so if I were to ask you how
long have you been living where you live now what would you say I've been living
here for six years I've been living here since 2010 pretty easy isn't it well
it'll be even easier if you practice it can you tell me how long you've been
doing something that's a little homework pick up some sentences use your English
use your English and you'll be amazed at how much quicker your ability to speak
English will improve thank you for watching this video that's the end of
the lesson and I look forward to seeing you at our next lesson goodbye for now