Present Perfect
Continuous
By: Doryl Sequena Cabiao
Verb Form
We form the present perfect continuous
with
HAVE/HAS+BEEN+PRESENT PARTICIPLE (v-ing)
Ali Al Saidi has been doing a lot of work
for charities since the mid-eighties.
What on earth have you been doing to that
cat?
HAVE / HAS is an auxiliary!
Verb Form
Present Perfect
HAVE / HAS + v-ed / 3f
Continuous
TO BE + v-ing
HAVE / HAS + BEEN + v-ing
Verb Form
AFFIRMATIVE
Subj + has/have + been + verb + ing
Maryam has been practicing for her
presentation.
NEGATIVE
Subj + has/have + not + been + verb + ing
The computer has not been working
since yesterday.
Verb Form
CLOSE-ENDED QUESTIONS
Have you been studying for the exam?
OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS
What have you been studying for the past
few weeks?
Use: Ongoing states and
actions
We use the present perfect continuous to
talk about a state or action which began in
the past and is still continuing :
What have you been doing all morning?
I’ve been talking to Jenny since morning.
Use: Ongoing states and
actions
Toexplain how recent continuing activities
have caused the present situation:
‘You look hot.’ ‘Yes, I’ve been running.’
The road is flooded. It has been raining for 5
hours.
Use: Ongoing states and
actions
To talk about recent continuing activities
which will probably continue in the future:
Information Technology has been improving.
With“how long” questions:
How long have you been reading that novel?
Use: Since / For
We often use the prepositions:
SINCE (+ point in time)
She has been writing letters since
breakfast.
Unemployment has been rising steadily
since 2006.
I’ve been living here since January.
Use: Since / For
We often use the prepositions:
FOR (+ period of time)
I have been learning how to play chess for
three years now.
He has been sleeping for ten hours.
We have been travelling for two months.
Use: Lately / Recently
Withthe adverbs lately or recently, we
use the present perfect continuous to talk
about new developments which may be
temporary:
Helen’s been spending a lot of time at the
club lately. (= She didn’t use to.)
Recently I’ve been living in Sue’s flat.
(=temporary)
Use: Ongoing states and
actions
The simple form of the present perfect
often focuses on the fact that an action is
completed – result is important;
while the continuous focuses on the fact
that it is still happening:
Simple: I’ve learnt how to play chess.
(= I can play chess now.)
Continuous: I’ve been learning how to play
chess. (= I’m still
learning.)
Use: Focus on situation / action
We use the continuous to focus on an
action itself
I must have a bath. I’ve been gardening all
afternoon. (= focus on activity)
I’ve planted a lot of new rose bushes.
(= focus on result/effect)
Use: Focus on situation / action
Sorry about the mess. I’ve been painting the house.
(= focus on activity)
I’ve painted two rooms since lunchtime.
(= focus on result)
She’s been reading your book. (= focus on activity)
She’s read 100 pages so far. (= focus on result)
We have been learning irregular verbs all afternoon.
(= focus on activity)
We have learnt all of them. (= focus on result)
Use: Focus on duration
Weuse the continuous to focus on how long
something has been in progress
How long have you been waiting for me?
How long have they been living next door to
you?
How long have you been playing tennis?
It has been snowing all day.
That man has been standing on the corner
all day.
Verbs not used with continuous
Some verbs
(e.g. be / belong to / consist of / doubt /
exist / know / like / love / adore / believe
/ hate / have (= own) / mean / need /
possess / seem / think / understand /
want)
are not normally used in the continuous:
Verbs not used with continuous
I’ve had a pain in my stomach since I got
up this morning.
I’ve been here since Tuesday.
How long have you had your car?
How long have you known Jane?
Summary
PresentPerfect – PRESENT RESULT
I've done the accounts – here they are.
PresentPerfect Continuous – ACTIVITY
I've been doing my accounts all afternoon.
Summary
PresentPerfect – REPEATED ACTION
She has played with the symphony
orchestra three times this season.
PresentPerfect Continuous – DURATION
OF ACTION
She has been playing with the symphony
orchestra all season.
Summary
Present Perfect – HOW MUCH / HOW
MANY / HOW MANY TIMES
How many films have you watched so far?
I’ve watched 3 films.
PresentPerfect Continuous – HOW LONG
How long have you been watching films?
I’ve been watching films since 8 o’clock.
Summary
Present Perfect – PERMANENT
People have eaten a lot less meat over the
last twenty years or so.
Present Perfect Continuous –
TEMPORARY
People have been eating less meat
recently because of the crisis.
PRACTICE
Complete the sentences with the present
perfect simple and continuous.
1. We can go home. We _________ three cars
today. (mend)
2. We _________ cars since 1 o'clock and we
aren't finished. (repair)
3. She _________ puddings all day. (make)
4. Fortunately, I _________ my credit card.
Here it is. (find)
PRACTICE
ANSWERS
1. We can go home. We have mended three
cars today. (mend)
2. We have been repairing cars since 1 o'clock
and we aren't finished. (repair)
3. She has been making puddings all day.
(make)
4. Fortunately, I have found my credit card.
Here it is. (find)
PRACTICE
Use either the present perfect simple or
continuous in each pair of sentences.
1. (go)
Paul _________ out with Charlene for a
couple of months.
Paul _________ to Paris for a few days.
2. (type)
I _________ three letters since I came home.
I _________ letters since I came home.
PRACTICE
Use either the present perfect simple or
continuous in each pair of sentences.
1. (go)
Paul has been going out with Charlene for a
couple of months.
Paul has gone to Paris for a few days.
2. (type)
I have typed three letters since I came home.
I have been typing letters since I came home.
MORE PRACTICE
Use
the present perfect
continuous tense
correctly!
Bibliography
1. Bourke K.: Verbs and Tenses: Intermediate. Test it, Fix
it. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006.
2. Leech G., Cruickshank B., Ivanic R.: An A-Z of English
Grammar & Usage. Harlow: Longman, 2004.
3. Murphy R.: English Grammar in Use. Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press, 2006.
4. Swan M.: Practical English Usage. Oxford: Oxford
University Press, 2005.
5. Thomas A. J., Martinet A. V.: A practical English
Grammar. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1986.
6. Vince M.: Intermediate Language Practice (New
Edition) . Oxford: Macmillan Education 2010.
