11 class

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS (I have been doing)

We use Present Perfect Continuous when we talk about:

—                    a situation or activity that started in the past and has been in progress for a period until now. Use

the Present Perfect Continuous with expressions that indicate the time period since and for.

I’ve been meaning to phone Jack since I heard he was back in the country. The competition has been running every year since 1980.

She’s been flying New Zealand for over a year now.

People have been saying for ages that the building should be pulled down.

—                                     a recent situation or activity and focuses on its present results. The situation or activity may still be going on, or it may just have stopped.

Look! It’s been snowing.

'You're looking well.' ’I've been playing a lot of squash to lose weight.'

'Haven't seen anything of Rod for a while.' 'No, he’s been working in Germany.' Your eyes are red - have you been crying?

—               ask questions with How long...? and when we say 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?

For more than two years I’ve been trying to get permission to extend my house. Unemployment has been rising steadily since the huge increase in oil prices.

Use both the Present Perfect Continuous and the Present Perfect to talk about something that started in the past and which affects the situation that exists now. The difference is that the Present Perfect Continuous focuses on the activity or event which may or may not be finished. The Present Perfect, however, focuses on the exceed of the activity or event, or the fact that something has been achieved.

I’ve been following their discussions with great interest. (emphasises the activity)

I’ve followed their discussions with great interest. (emphasises the result)

We use the Present Perfect when we talk about long-lasting or permanent situations, or when we want

to emphasise that we are talking about the whole of a period of time until the present.

I have always admired Chester’s work.

They are the most delicious oranges I’ve ever eaten.

When we want to emphasise that a situation has changed over a period of time up to now, and may

continue to change, we prefer the Present Perfect Continuous to the Present Perfect:

The pollution problem has been getting worse over the last decade.

However, if we talk about a specific change over a period of time which ends now, particularly to focus

on the result of this change, we use the Present Perfect:

Prices have decreased by 7%. (= in a period up to now)

Task 1. Choose the correct verb form.

1.      I have been working /have worked as a manager for a long time now. I’m ready for change.

2.       My hands are covered in oil because I have fixed /have been fixing my bicycle.

3.       How long she has owned/ has been owning her car?

4.       He’s feeling nervous because he has never flown / has never been flying in a plane before.

5.       How many times have I told /have I been telling you to shut the door behind you?

6.       She has been learning / has learned Dutch because she’s going to live in Amsterdam.

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