EnglishLife Experiences and Ongoing Activities
Say which items are mainly one-time events and which can continue over time. 🗣️
- graduate from university [/ˈɡrædʒueɪt frəm ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːsəti/]
- finish a degree course at university
She has already graduated from university. - start a new job [/stɑːt ə njuː dʒɒb/]
- begin working in a new position
He has just started a new job. - move house [/muːv haʊs/]
- begin living in a different home
We have moved house twice. - travel abroad [/ˈtrævəl əˈbrɔːd/]
- visit another country
Have you ever travelled abroad? - learn to drive [/lɜːn tə draɪv/]
- take lessons to become able to drive
I have been learning to drive for six months. - pass an exam [/pɑːs ən ɪɡˈzæm/]
- succeed in a test
She has just passed her final exam. - win an award [/wɪn ən əˈwɔːd/]
- receive a prize for success
They have won an award for their project. - volunteer [/ˌvɒlənˈtɪə/]
- work without being paid to help others
He has been volunteering at a food bank. - work for a company [/wɜːk fər ə ˈkʌmpəni/]
- have a job in an organisation
She has been working for the company since 2018. - study English [/ˈstʌdi ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/]
- learn English in classes or independently
I have studied English for several years. - take up yoga [/teɪk ʌp ˈjəʊɡə/]
- start yoga as a regular activity
We have taken up yoga recently. - run a business [/rʌn ə ˈbɪznəs/]
- manage a company or shop
My aunt has run a business since 2015.
have done = experience or result
have been doing = an activity continuing over time
Choose the Best Form
Choose or type the missing verb phrase. Read each completed sentence aloud. 🔎
- She [___] at this company since 2018.
- I [___] my driving test, so I can drive now.
- [___] abroad?
- We [___] our new flat.
- My sister [___] her degree yet.
- How long [___] English?
- They [___] at the animal shelter for six months.
- He [___] a famous person.
Things I Have Learned This Year
Read Maya’s blog. Mark achievements and activities that are still continuing. 📖
Things I have learned this year
This year, Maya has filled her weekends with new experiences. She has already completed an online photography course and has just sold her first photo to a local magazine. She has never enjoyed learning so much. Since January, she has been volunteering at a community garden every Saturday. She has been learning to grow vegetables and has made several new friends there. Recently, she has also started running before work. She has run three charity races so far, but she has not entered a marathon yet. For the last two months, she has been saving money for a trip to Spain. She has planned the route, but she has not booked a hotel yet.
- What has Maya already completed and sold?
- Which activity has Maya been doing since January?
- What has Maya been saving money for, and for how long?
Difficult words
- completed — finished successfully
- local magazine — a publication for people in one area
- community garden — a garden shared by local people
- charity race — a race organised to raise money for a good cause
- marathon — a long running race of 42 kilometres
- route — the planned way from one place to another
- booked — reserved in advance
Write About Your Experiences
Write five connected sentences about yourself: 40–80 words. ✍️
Include:
- one achievement or completed experience;
- one sentence with ever, never, already, just, or yet;
- one activity that is continuing now;
- one duration phrase with for or since;
- one question or answer with How long ...?
Useful phrases:
- I have already ...
- I have never ...
- I have just ...
- I have been ... for ...
- I have been ... since ...
- How long have you been ...?
- I have worked / studied / volunteered / lived ...
