4. Reading Time Through Grammar: Present Tenses in Context

1. The climate affects every living thing on Earth.

2. Today, the planet is heating up, sea levels are rising, and many ecosystems are changing under pressure.

3. Researchers have studied these changes for decades and have found clear links between human activity and global warming.

4. For years, they have been asking governments, businesses and ordinary people to act before the consequences become harder to control.

 

Grammar tenses are essential in English because they do much more than show time. They help us explain whether an action is general, temporary, completed, repeated, planned, predicted or still continuing. When we use tenses correctly, our message becomes clearer, more precise and easier to understand; when we use them incorrectly, the meaning of the whole sentence can change.

Can you name all the grammar tenses used in four introduction sentences? Can you explain how to use them correctly? These are present tenses, aren't the? You have already studied some of them. Let's go back for a bit to revise what was covered in Forms 3, 8 and 10!

Revise: Present Simple – Formation, Spelling Rules, Usage, Present Continuous - Formation, Spelling Rules, Usage, Present Perfect Simple – Formation, Usage, Talking About Tomorrow: Ways to Express the Future

 

 

Learn: now, lets move on with Present Perfect Continuous in comparison with Present Perfect. Watch the video! 

 

1. Formation Rules
Present Perfect Continuous
Examples:
Scientists have been studying climate change for decades.
The planet has been getting warmer.
Examples:
Some governments have not been doing enough to reduce emissions.
The weather has not been following its usual patterns.
Examples:
Have temperatures been rising for many years?
Has Arctic ice been melting faster?

2. Usage Rules — Let's compare these tenses
Examples:
Global temperatures have increased. (This means temperatures are higher now.)
Sea level has risen. (This means sea level is higher now.)
Scientists have recorded more heatwaves. (This focuses on what scientists have found up to now.)
Examples:
The planet has been getting warmer for decades. (This focuses on the long process of warming.)
Arctic ice has been melting for many years. (This focuses on the continuing process.)
Scientists have been warning people about climate risks. (This focuses on the repeated action over time.)
Compare:
Researchers have studied global warming for decades. (The fact is important.)
Researchers have been studying global warming for decades. (The long period of research is emphasised.)
Examples:
Scientists have recorded five major heatwaves this year. (Not: Scientists have been recording five major heatwaves this year.)
Sea level has risen by several centimetres. (Not: Sea level has been rising by several centimetres.) 
Compare:
Researchers have written a report about climate change. (The report is finished.)
Researchers have been writing a report about climate change. (The work may still be continuing.)

Examples:

Scientists have published the report, so people can read the results now. (The result comes from the completed report.)
Scientists have been collecting data, so they understand the changes better. (The result comes from the ongoing process.)

Examples:
Temperatures have been increasing for many years.
Scientists have studied climate change since the 20th century.

Examples:

Scientists have already warned governments about climate risks.
Have countries reduced emissions yet?
Some countries have not reached net zero yet.