Present Perfect Present Perfect ContinuousContinuous

GrammarGrammar Guide Guide

mgr Anna Waligórska – Kotfas mgr Anna Waligórska – Kotfas PWSZ KoninPWSZ Konin

VerbVerb Form Form

We form the present perfect continuous We form the present perfect continuous with with

HAVEHAVE/HAS/HAS+BEEN+PRESENT PARTICIPLE (+BEEN+PRESENT PARTICIPLE (vv-ing-ing))

Bob Geldof Bob Geldof has been doinghas been doing a lot of work a lot of work for charities since the mid-eighties.for charities since the mid-eighties.

What on earth What on earth have you been doinghave you been doing to that to that child?child?

HAVE / HAS is an auxiliary!HAVE / HAS is an auxiliary!

VerbVerb Form Form

Present PerfectPresent Perfect

HAVEHAVE / HAS / HAS ++ v-ed / 3f v-ed / 3f

ContinuousContinuous

TO BE + v-ingTO BE + v-ing

HAVEHAVE / HAS + BEEN + v-ing / HAS + BEEN + v-ing

Use: Ongoing states and Use: Ongoing states and actionsactions

We use the present perfect continuous to We use the present perfect continuous to talk about a state or action which talk about a state or action which began in began in the past and is still continuing or has just the past and is still continuing or has just finishedfinished::

‘‘You look hot.’ ‘Yes, I’ve been running.’You look hot.’ ‘Yes, I’ve been running.’

‘‘Where have you been?’ ‘I’ve been talking Where have you been?’ ‘I’ve been talking to Jenny.’to Jenny.’

How long have you been learning English?How long have you been learning English?

Use: Ongoing states and Use: Ongoing states and actionsactions

The The simple form of thesimple form of the present perfectpresent perfect often often focuses on the fact that an action is focuses on the fact that an action is completedcompleted – – result is importantresult is important;;

while the while the continuous focuses oncontinuous focuses on the fact that the fact that it is still happeningit is still happening::

Simple: Simple: I’ve learnt how to play chess.I’ve learnt how to play chess. (= I can play chess now.)(= I can play chess now.)

Continuous: Continuous: I’ve been learning how to play I’ve been learning how to play

chess.chess. (= I’m still learning.)(= I’m still learning.)

Use: Focus on situationUse: Focus on situation // actionaction

We use the We use the continuous to focus oncontinuous to focus on an an actionaction itselfitself

I must have a bath. I’ve been gardening all I must have a bath. I’ve been gardening all afternoon.afternoon. (=(= focus on activity)focus on activity)

I’ve planted a lot oI’ve planted a lot off new rose bushes. new rose bushes. (=(= focus on focus on

resultresult/effect/effect))

Use: Focus on situationUse: Focus on situation // actionactionSorry about the mess. I’ve been painting the house.Sorry about the mess. I’ve been painting the house.

(=(= focus on activity)focus on activity) I’ve painted two rooms since lunchtime.I’ve painted two rooms since lunchtime. (=(= focus on focus on result)result)

She’s been reading your book.She’s been reading your book. (=(= focus on activity)focus on activity) She’s read 100 pages so far.She’s read 100 pages so far. (=(= focus on result)focus on result)

We have been learning irregular verbs all afternoon.We have been learning irregular verbs all afternoon. (=(= focus on activity)focus on activity)

We have learnt all of them.We have learnt all of them. (=(= focus on result)focus on result)

Use: Focus on durationUse: Focus on duration We use the continuous to focus on We use the continuous to focus on how longhow long

something has been in progresssomething has been in progress

How long have you been waiting for me?How long have you been waiting for me?

How long have they been living next door to How long have they been living next door to you?you?

How long have you been playing tennis?How long have you been playing tennis?

It has been snowing all day.It has been snowing all day.

That man has been standing on the corner That man has been standing on the corner all day.all day.

UseUse: Since / For: Since / ForWe often use the prepositions:We often use the prepositions: SINCESINCE (+ point in time) (+ point in time)

She has been writing letters She has been writing letters since since breakfastbreakfast..

Unemployment has been rising steadily Unemployment has been rising steadily since since 20062006..

I’ve been living here I’ve been living here since Januarysince January..

UseUse: Since / For: Since / For

We often use the prepositions:We often use the prepositions: FORFOR (+ period of time) (+ period of time)

I have been learning how to play chess I have been learning how to play chess for for three yearsthree years now. now.

He has been sleeping He has been sleeping for ten hoursfor ten hours..

We have been travelling We have been travelling for two monthsfor two months..

Use: Lately / RecentlyUse: Lately / Recently

With the adverbs With the adverbs latelylately or or recentlyrecently, we , we use the present perfect continuous to talk use the present perfect continuous to talk about new developments which may be about new developments which may be temporarytemporary::

Helen’s been spending a lot of time at the Helen’s been spending a lot of time at the club lately.club lately. (= She didn’t use to.)(= She didn’t use to.)

Recently I’ve been living in Sue’s flat.Recently I’ve been living in Sue’s flat. (=temporary)(=temporary)

Verbs not used with continuousVerbs not used with continuous

Some verbs Some verbs

(e.g. (e.g. be / belong to / consist of / doubt / be / belong to / consist of / doubt / exist / know / like / love / adore / believe exist / know / like / love / adore / believe / hate / have/ hate / have (= own) (= own) / mean / need / / mean / need / possess / seem / think / understand / possess / seem / think / understand / want)want)

are notare not normally normally usedused in the continuous in the continuous::

Verbs not used with continuousVerbs not used with continuous

I’ve had a pain in my stomach since I got I’ve had a pain in my stomach since I got up this morning.up this morning.

I’ve been here since Tuesday.I’ve been here since Tuesday.

How long have you had your carHow long have you had your car??

How long have you known Jane?How long have you known Jane?

SummarySummary

Present PerfectPresent Perfect – – PRESENT RESULTPRESENT RESULT

II've done the accounts – here they are.'ve done the accounts – here they are.

Present Perfect ContinuousPresent Perfect Continuous – – ACTIVITYACTIVITY

I've been doing my accounts all afternoon.I've been doing my accounts all afternoon.

SummarySummary

Present PerfectPresent Perfect – REPEATED ACTION – REPEATED ACTIONShe has played with the symphony She has played with the symphony orchestra three times this season.orchestra three times this season.

Present Perfect ContinuousPresent Perfect Continuous – DURATION – DURATION OF ACTIONOF ACTIONShe has been playing with the symphony She has been playing with the symphony orchestra all season.orchestra all season.

SummarySummary

Present PerfectPresent Perfect – – HOW MUCH / HOW HOW MUCH / HOW MANY / HOW MANY TIMESMANY / HOW MANY TIMES

How many films have you watched so far?How many films have you watched so far?

I’ve watched 3 films.I’ve watched 3 films.

Present Perfect Continuous – Present Perfect Continuous – HOW LONGHOW LONG

How long have you been watching films?How long have you been watching films?

I’ve been watching films since 8 o’clock.I’ve been watching films since 8 o’clock.

SummarySummary

Present PerfectPresent Perfect – PERMANENT – PERMANENT

People have eaten a lot less meat over the People have eaten a lot less meat over the last twenty years or so.last twenty years or so.

Present Perfect Continuous – Present Perfect Continuous – TEMPORARYTEMPORARY

People have been eating less meat People have been eating less meat recently because of the crisis.recently because of the crisis.

Use Use the present perfect the present perfect

continuous tense continuous tense correctly! correctly!

BibliographyBibliography

1.1. Bourke K.: Bourke K.: Verbs and Tenses: Intermediate. Test it, Fix Verbs and Tenses: Intermediate. Test it, Fix it.it. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006.

2.2. Leech G., Cruickshank B., Ivanic R.Leech G., Cruickshank B., Ivanic R.:: An A-Z of English An A-Z of English Grammar & Usage.Grammar & Usage. Harlow: Longman, 2004. Harlow: Longman, 2004.

3.3. Murphy R.: Murphy R.: English Grammar in UseEnglish Grammar in Use. Cambridge: . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006.Cambridge University Press, 2006.

4.4. Swan M.: Swan M.: Practical English UsagePractical English Usage. Oxford: Oxford . Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005.University Press, 2005.

5.5. Thomas A. J., Martinet A. V.: Thomas A. J., Martinet A. V.: A practical English A practical English GrammarGrammar. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1986.. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1986.

6.6. Vince M.: Vince M.: Intermediate Language Practice (New Edition)Intermediate Language Practice (New Edition) . Oxford: Macmillan Education 2010. . Oxford: Macmillan Education 2010.