Present perfect continuous

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 2

Present perfect continuous 

vs Present Perfect

Present Perfect - Remember?

Something happened in the past (you don't know when). The event is finished and complete.

I have done my homework.

Signal words (already, just, yet)

I haven't finished yet.

The match has already begun.

He has just left.

How?

has/have + past participle 

Present perfect 

When we focus on the result of an action and how often it has happened (or how much/many).

She's drunk three cups of coffee this morning.

I've seen this film four times!

State verbs (be, like, believe, have)

Luke has never been abroad.

I've had my dog for sixteen years.

Present perfect continuous

How?

has/have + been + ing form of the verb

When?

• To talk about a situation or action that began in the past and is still in progress/going on. The focus is on the duration of the activity -> how long. We can use 'for' or 'since' to show how long.

You've been writing that letter for three hours.

have + been + ing form

When?

• To talk about a recent activity that explains a present situation.

I'm tired because I have been working all day.

I've been making a cake, that's why the  kitchen is such a mess.

I've been eating dinner, so there are plates  all over the table.

Differences

These tenses can sometimes be used with little difference in maning, especially with verbs that express a continuous actions such as 'wait', 'live', 'work' + 'for' or 'since'

He's waited a long time for this moment.

He's been waiting a long time for this moment.

They've lived in London since 2010. 

They've been living in London since 2010.

Differences

However, the present perfect can tell use that an action is finished recently, while the present perfect continuous focuses on the activity itself.

I've done my homework (present perfect - I recently finished my homework)

I've been doing my homework  (That's how I've spent my time until just now)

I've read the book you recommended. (I've finished, so we can talk about it).

I've been reading the book you recommended. (I'm enjoying it, but I'm not finished)

Note

This difference is often used to talk about different kinds of results in the present. The present perfect is used when the action is finished, and the result comes from the action being finished:

I've eaten dinner, so let's go out.

She's done all her homework, so she can relax this evening.

I've made a cake. Would you like some?

The present perfect continuous is used when the result comes from the action itself. It doesn't matter if the whole action is finished or not. The result is often something we can see, hear, smell, or feel:

I've been eating dinner, so there are plates all over the table.

She's been doing her homework, so she's tired.

I've been making a cake, that's why the kitchen is such a mess.

Differences

The present perfect can be used with state verbs (be, like, believe, have)

I've been a teacher since 2008.

The present perfect continuous CAN'T be used with state verbs (be, like,  believe, have)

 INCORRECT: I've been being a teacher since 2008.

Task - 8 min

Work in groups of 6. 

Each student is responsible for one sentence. 

Share your sentences. Check each other's answers.

Quiz!

1. We're late because

1. we've been helping Dad clean the garage
2. we've helped Dad clean the garage

2. Ben ___________ a science fiction story. In fact, he's nearly finished it.

1. has been writing
2. has written

3. The Fielding family ____________ in this area for at least a century.

1. have lived
2. have been living
3. Both answers are correct

4. I ________a headache since lunchtime.

1. 've had
2. 've been having

5. He ________ the film "Coco" about six times.

1. has seen
2. has been seeing

6. How many times _____ you _______ Scotland?

1. have visited
2. have been visiting

7. I _______________ my house all day, but it's not finished yet.

1. have painted
2. have been painting

8. We ____________ rush hour traffic.

1. have always hated
2. have always been hating

9. The kitchen is a complete mess! What _______ the children ____________?

1. have (the children) done
2. have (the children) been doing

10. I _____________ chocolate.

1. have always loved
2. have always been loving

Let's play a Kahoot!