THE PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS TB p93-94

Formation – affirmative statements PRESENT PARTICIPLE  ing-form of the verb Now it’s your turn…

Formation - negatives  I have not / haven’t been sleeping all day.  He has not / hasn’t been working since ten this morning. Have not / has not + been + present participle

Formation

Notes  To be and have got: not used in the present perfect continuous.  There has been a pub in town for more than 20 years.  How long have you had that dog?

Notes  Can has no past participle  use: have managed to or have been able to if you want to express ability to do something.  Kathleen has managed to find extras.  She hasn’t been able to contact the stunt man

Notes  In negative statements: the present simple will mostly be used.  John hasn’t worked in the pub for a long time.

Use  Present perfect:  When we want to talk about a period that started in the past and that continues up to now. The periode may still be going on!  Continuous:  When we want to stress the duration of the action.

Use  Have been waiting  Started in the past.  Is still waiting  Stress duration!

Use  Has been holding  Has been holding it since the year  Is still holding it today.

Notes  For: the whole period.  Since: refers to the starting point

Notes