Present perfect continuous : 1 Present perfect continuous Formation:
Have
+ been + -ing
Has
Slide 2 : 2 Meaning: We use this tense for an activity that started in the past, but has just stopped, or is still happening.
Is it raining? No, but the ground is wet. It has been raining.
It is raining now. It began raining two hours ago. It has been raining for two hours.
Slide 3 : 3 We can use the present perfect continuous for actions that are repeated over a period of time.
Every morning they meet in the same café. They’ve been going there for years.
Debbie is a good tennis player. She’s been playing since she was eight.
Present perfect vs. present perfect continuous : 4 Present perfect vs. present perfect continuous In present perfect we are interested in the result of the activity. It’s like a developed photo.
1. The ceiling was white. Now it is blue. She has painted the ceiling. In present perfect continuous we are interested in the process of the activity. It’s like filming with a camera.
1. Ling’s clothes are covered with paint. She has been painting the ceiling.
Present perfect vs. present perfect continuous : 5 Present perfect vs. present perfect continuous 2. The car is OK now. I’ve fixed it.
3. Someone has eaten all my candy! The box is empty.
4. Where’s the book I gave you? What have you done with it? 2. My hands are very dirty. I’ve been fixing the car.
3. She’s been eating too much recently. She should eat less.
4. What have you been doing since the last time we saw you?
Present perfect vs. present perfect continuous : 6 Present perfect vs. present perfect continuous Use the present perfect continuous to say how long
How long have you been reading that book?
Lisa is still writing letters. She’s been writing letters all day.
They’ve been playing tennis since 2:00. Use present perfect to say how much, how many, or how many times
How many pages of that book have you read?
Lisa has written ten letters today.
They’ve played tennis three times this week.
Compare the same sentences in the switched tense : 7 Compare the same sentences in the switched tense **How long have you read that book?
**Lisa is still writing letters. She’s written letters all day.
**They’ve played tennis since 2:00. **How many pages of that book have you been reading?
**Lisa has been writing ten letters today.
**They’ve been playing tennis three times this week.
Slide 8 : 8 Use “for” + a period of time; Use “since” + the start of a period
e.g.I have been waiting for two hours.
e.g. I have been waiting since 4:00.
With “when”, use simple past; with “how long”, use present perfect continuous.
e.g. When did it start raining?
e.g. How long has it been raining?
“for” is optional in affirmative sentences, but obligatory in negative sentences
e.g. They’ve married (for) ten years.
e.g. **They haven’t had a vacation ten years.
Present continuous vs. present perfect continuous : 9 Present continuous vs. present perfect continuous Don’t bother me. I’m working.
We need an umbrella. It’s raining.
Hurry up! We’re waiting. I’ve been working hard, so now I’m going to take a break.
The ground is wet. It’s been raining.
We have been waiting for an hour, and the bus still hasn’t come.