Say or Tell?

- To Say
a) to say something
The teacher said she was not satisfied with the work of some of the students.

b) to say something to someone
What he said to his employer resulted in his dismissal.

- To Tell - to tell someone something.
He told the audience several amusing jokes.

Expressions with the verbs Say and Tell.
To Say:
- a story
- a good word
- goodbye

To Tell:
- a story
- the time
- the truth
- lies
- a secret
- the difference
- fortunes

Present Perfect Progressive

Uses:
The Progressive form is used to emphasize the length of time up to the present. The tense is more often used with verbs which have the meaning of prolonged action such as: live, stay, work, read, sleep, syudy.

Note:
The adverbs used with this tense often have all before them.
I have been waiting for you all morning.
She has been sleeping all afternoon.

Present Perfect Tense

Uses:

1. indefinite time in the past
He has lived in many countries.

2. from some point in the past to the present.
They have worked here for seven years.
She has studied French since April.

3. a very recent happening.
I have just arrived.

Special Notes
It is used with adverbs such as these: now, just, today, this morning (week, month), still, ever, never, not yet, already, recently, lately.