UNIT 7 3rd YEAR EOI

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS have/has + been + V gerund - I have been studying for 2 hours now. - They haven’t been talking about you in the meeting. - Sorry I’m late. Have you been waiting long?

USES OF PRES PERF CONT Repeated or continuous actions that started in the past, still in progress now: –They’ve been living in this house for 15 years. –How long have you been learning English? –We’ve been going out together for 3 years. To talk about an action that has been in progress recently and that may be finished or not now. –Your eyes are red. Have you been crying? –No, I’ve been cutting onions. –I’m exhausted! I’ve been cleaning the kitchen all morning!

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS We usually use the present perfect continuous with for and since (to emphasise the duration of the action) For + period of time Since + moment an action started –I’ve been feeling depressed since I moved to this country. –I’ve been feeling depressed since last week. –You’ve been renting this flat for 6 weeks only. And in questions with How long…? –How long have you been playing the piano? –Do you know how long Jim has been waiting for me?

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS With non-action verbs (know, be, …) we use the present perfect simple NOT the present perfect continuous: –I’ve known her for ages. NOT I’ve been knowing her for ages. –I’ve had this car for 5 years now. NOT I’ve been having this car for 5 years now. With live and work we can use both p.p. simple or p.p. continuous: –We’ve been living in Galway since –We’ve lived in Galway since –He’s been working in this company for a long time. –He’s worked in this company for a long time.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PRES PERF SIMPLE AND PRES PERF CONT Importance to the result of the action –I’ve already corrected 25 tasks. Single actions –I’ve cut my finger. Permament actions –Peter has had problems all his life. Importance to the duration of the action –I’ve been correcting tasks all day. Repeated/continued actions –I’ve been cutting wood. Temporary actions –Peter has been having problems lately.

Present Perfect Simple or Continuous? a.I (work) all afternoon and I’m fed up. - I’ve been working… b. I (write) six letters and one report but (not finish yet). - I’ve written … / haven’t finished yet. c.He (eat) all day because he’s bored. - He’s been eating… d. He (already eat) five bars of chocolate and (drink) six cans of lemonade. - He’s already eaten… / has drunk… e.She (teach) all over the world for the last fifteen years and now she (decide) to come home. - She’s been teaching… / has decided …