Present perfect continuous Present perfect

Present Perfect Continuous

Use

A We use the Present Perfect Continuous to talk about smth which started in the past and has been in progress up to the present.

I've been working all day.

How long have you been sitting there?

B We use the Present Perfect Continuous when an action has been in progress up to the recent past, especially when the action has results in the present.

It's been snowing.

It's been snowing. (It isn’t snowing now, but there is snow on the ground.)

Have you been painting? (You aren’t painting now, but there is paint in your hair.)

C We can use the Present Perfect Continuous to talk about repeated actions or situations in a period up to the present (or the recent past).

I've been having driving lessons for six months.

How long have you been living in Manchester?

EXERCISE 9A

Complete the sentences. Use the present perfect continuous.

Example: 1 We 're tired. We've been working hard all day.

1 We're tired. We _hard all day. work

2 Sue's French is good. She _the language for ten years. study

3 I'm sorry I'm late. __ you__ long? wait

4 I don't know London well. I __here for very long. not | live

5 Simon is a good driver. How long__ he__? drive

6 I must go and see the doctor. I __well lately. not I feel

Present Perfect Continuous

Use

A We use the Present Perfect Continuous to talk about smth which started in the past and has been in progress up to the present.

I've been working all day.

How long have you been sitting there?

B We use the Present Perfect Continuous when an action has been in progress up to the recent past, especially when the action has results in the present.

It's been snowing.

It's been snowing. (It isn’t snowing now, but there is snow on the ground.)

Have you been painting? (You aren’t painting now, but there is paint in your hair.)

C We can use the Present Perfect Continuous to talk about repeated actions or situations in a period up to the present (or the recent past).

I've been having driving lessons for six months.

How long have you been living in Manchester?

EXERCISE 9A

Complete the sentences. Use the present perfect continuous.

Example: 1 We 're tired. We've been working hard all day.

1 We're tired. We _hard all day. work

2 Sue's French is good. She _the language for ten years. study

3 I'm sorry I'm late. __ you__ long? wait

4 I don't know London well. I __here for very long. not | live

5 Simon is a good driver. How long__ he__? drive

6 I must go and see the doctor. I __well lately. not I feel

Present perfect continuous Present perfect

1 When we use the present perfect continuous, the action may be finished or not finished. I've been cleaning my car.	When we use the present perfect simple, the action is finished. I've cleaned my car.
2 We use the present perfect continuous, to talk about how long smth has been in progress. I've been walking all morning. How long haveyoubeen having driving lessons?	We use the present perfect simple, to talk about what has been achieved in a period of time. I've walked six kilometres so far this morning. How many driving lessons have you had?
3 We use the present perfect continuous for situations which are more temporary (continuing for a short time). He's been living there for just a few weeks. I've been working very hard recently.	We use the present perfect simple for situations which are more permanent (continuing for a longer time). He's always lived there. You've worked hard all your life.
4 Sometimes there is only a small difference in meaning between the two forms. I've been living/I've lived in this flat for ten years. How long has she been working/has she worked for the company?

EXERCISE 10A

Choose the correct form.

Example: Can I have a look at your newspaper?' 'Certainly. You can keep it if you like.

I 've been reading/I've read it.'

1 They've been repairing/They've repaired the road all this week, but they haven't finished it yet.

2 I'm very sorry, but I've been breaking/I've broken this chair.

3 Sally has been saving/has saved nearly two thousand pounds so far this year.

4 What's the matter? Have you been losing/Have you lost something?

5 I've always been working/I've always worked in the music industry.

6 Someone has been eating/has eaten my chocolates. There aren't many left.

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