Page 23 - Advanced English Grammar in Use

c o n t i n u o u s
P r e s e n t p e r f e c t continuous ( I h a v e b e e n d o i n g )
perfect
Present
(I
been
doing)
have
use the present perfect continuous to talk about a situation or activity that started in the past
We
We use the present perfect continuous to talk about a situation or activity that started in the past
for a period until now. Sometimes we use the present perfect continuous
and has been in progress for a period until now. Sometimes we use the present perfect continuous
and has been in progress
(e.g. with since and for):
with expressions that indicate the time period (e.g. with since and for):
with expressions that indicate the time period
in the country.
I've been meaning to phone Jack since I heard he was back
• e 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.
• * The competition has been running every year since 1980.
She's been living in New Zealand for over a year now.
• * She's been living in New Zealand for over a year now.
have been saying for ages that the building should be pulled down.
People
• * People have been saying for ages that the building should be pulled down.
refers to a recent situation or activity
Without such an expression, the present perfect continuous refers to a recent situation or activity
Without such an expression, the present perfect continuous
focuses on its present results:
and
and focuses on its present results:
Look! It's been snowing.
• * Look! It's been snowing.
'You're looking well.' 'I've been playing a lot of squash to lose weight.'
• * ‘You're looking well.’ 'I've been playing a lot of squash to lose weight.’
seen anything of Rod for a while.' 'No, he's been working in Germany.'
• * 'Haven't seen anything of Rod for a while.’ 'No, he's been working in Germany.’
‘Haven't
or it may just have stopped. Compare:
The situation or activity may still be going on, or it may just have stopped. Compare:
The situation or activity may still be going on,
discussing the proposals for a number of years. (= still going on) and
• * We've been
We've been discussing the proposals for a number of years. (= still going on) and
Your eyes are red - have you been crying? (= recently stopped)
• * Your eyes are red - have you been crying? (= recently stopped)
' В ^ °ft e n u s e the P presentperfect continuous when we ask questions with How long...? and when
when
е
long...?
and
How
t n e
questions
perfect continuous
ask
r e s e n t
with
when we
Weoftenuse
say how long something has been in progress:
we say how long something has been in progress:
we
How long have you been waiting for me?
2 • * How long have you been waiting for me?
How long have they been living next door to you?
• * How long have they been living next door to you?
more than two years I've been trying to get permission to extend my house.
For more than two years I've been trying to get permission to extend my house.
• * For
Unemployment has been rising steadily since the huge increase in oil prices.
• * Unemployment has been rising steadily since the huge increase in oil prices.
(the present simple or the present
We can use the present perfect continuous or a present tense
We can use the present perfect continuous or a present tense (the present simple or the present
when we talk about a situation or activity that started in the past and is still
continuous)
continuous) when we talk about a situation or activity that started in the past and is still
However, we use the present perfect continuous when we are
happening now or has just stopped.
happening now or has just stopped. However, we use the present perfect continuous when we are
action or event has been going on. Compare:
talking about how long the action or event has been going on. Compare:
talking about how long the
and
• * I see Tom most weekends, and
Isee Tom mostweekends.
seeing a lot of Tom since he moved into the flat upstairs, (not I see...)
• * I've been seeing a lot of Tom since he moved into the flatupstairs. (not I see...)
I've been
It's raining, and
• * It'sraining. and
(not It's raining...)
• e It's been raining heavily allnight.
It's been raining heavily all night, (not It's raining...)
difference between the present perfect and present perfect continuous in sentences like
For the difference between the present perfect and present perfect continuous in sentences like
For the
this, see Unit 8. 8.
this, see Unit
or actions that went on over a past period of time but finished at a
When we talk about situations or actions that went on over a past period of time but finished at a
When we talk about situations
particular point in time before now, we don't use the present perfect continuous: his been living...)
particular point in time before now, we don't use the present perfect continuous:
reading until midnight last night,
been reading...)
(not I have
Present perfect continuous and present perfect=> IGE off...) verbs that describe states (see Unjt 2A).
I was
о @
I was reading until midnight last night. (not I have been reading...)
• °
(not
Brazil,
She has
family moved to
before her
Spain
She had been living in in Spain before her family moved to Brazil. (not She has been living...)
• .
She had been living
• *
off the
decision
and
up
mind
put
for as long
but eventually he made
as possible,
• *
He
He put off the decision for as long as possible, but eventually he made up his mind and
(not He has been putting
bought the car.
bought the car. (not He has been putting off...)
perfect continuous with
present
generally avoid the
We
We generally avoid the present perfect continuous with verbs that describe states (see Unjt 2A).
Present perfect continuous and present perfect =