Present perfect and past perfect
Present perfect continuous
affirmative, negative, yes/no, wh- questionsb1
Present perfect continuousI've been studying all day.I hate this weather. It's been raining all week!She hasn't been working here for very long.‘Why is your hair wet? Have you been swimming in the lake?’We form the present perfect continuous with:Subject + have + been + -ing form.Positive and negativeSubjecthavebeen-ing form+IYouhavebeenstudying.-haven't+He/She/Ithas-hasn't+WeTheyhave-haven'tIn spoken and informal written English we usually use short forms (I've been studying, he's been studying, etc.)We form yes/no questions with:Have + subject + been + -ing form?Yes/no questionsHavesubjectbeen-ing formHaveIyoubeenstudying?waiting long?Hashe/she/itHavewetheyWe form short answers with have.‘Has he been studying?’ ‘Yes, he has.’‘Have you been waiting long?’ ‘No, I haven't.’We form wh-questions with:Question word + have + subject + been + -ing form?Wh- questionsQuestion wordhavesubjectbeen-ing formWhatHow longhaveIyoubeendoing?waiting?hashe/she/ithavewetheyWe use the present perfect continuous to talk about an action or activity that started in the past and continues now or has only just stopped.I hate this weather! It's been raining all week (= and it is still raining).I need a break. I've been studying all day (= and I have just stopped).We use the present perfect continuous to talk about a current situation that started in the past. We often use it to ask or answer the question How long …? We can use it with for + a period of time or since + a point in time.I've been working here for eight years.‘How long has he been playing basketball?’ ‘Since he was twelve years old.’We use the present perfect continuous to give reasons for current situations.‘Why is your hair wet?’ ‘I've been swimming in the lake.’‘Why is she tired?’ ‘She's been working hard all day.’We don't usually use the present perfect continuous with state verbs like be, have and know.I've known Jack for five years.I've been knowing Jack for five years.
Choose the correct answers to complete the sentences.
Question: 1 /
You scored 0 out of
That man there for over an hour.
More people abroad these days.
Scientists to find a cure for AIDS.
You TV for too long! Switch it off!
Grammar contentsView all
Present perfect and past perfect
Quantifiers, possessives and demonstratives