UNIT 14: PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

To form the present perfect continuous, use have/has + been + present participle.
They have been discussing the situation. He has been working on it.
Contrast these sentences:
1. Since 1998, they have built a new freeway. (present perfect)
2. Since 1998, they have been building a new freeway. (present perfect continuous)
Both sentences have the time expression since, and they both use the perfect. The meaning of
each sentence, however, is different. Lets see how.
COMPLETED versus CONTINUING
In #1 above, the action (building) is finished. Between 1998 and now, they have built a new freeway. They are not
building the freeway anymore. In the second sentence, they are still building it. The construction is in progress; it
continues. Consider these additional examples:
3. I have read that book. (before, in my whole life)
4. Ive been reading that book. (since)
5. How long have you been waiting for the bus?
Numbers 3, 4, and 5 above all use the perfect. In #3, however, I have finished reading the book. Its a completed
action. In #4, the event is continuing: Im still reading it, or I was busy reading it until very recently (
,
recientemente). In #5, the person has been waiting continuously, without stopping. Notice the same distinction in
the following sentences:
6. a. Boy, it sure looks different in here!
b. Yeah, weve repainted the room since you were here last time. Do you like it? (We have
finished painting the room. Its a completed action.)

7. a. Whats going on in here?

b. Oh, I apologize for the mess. Weve been repainting. Watch out for the cans! (We havent
finished painting. The action is still occurring, or it was happening until very recently.)
8. a. What are you up to?
b. Ive been watching this program called Seinfeld. (still happening, or happening until very recently) Have
you ever seen it? Its funny.
a. Yeah, Ive watched it a couple of times. (completed actions)
9. a. Whats wrong?
b. Its those darn construction workers. Theyve been playing their stupid loud music all
day long, and its driving me crazy! (The workers are still playing the music.)
a. Well, talk to their supervisor.
b. I have, but I dont think he really cares. (a completed action)
IN GENERAL
10. Use the present perfect to talk about one or more events that happened and ended in a time period continuing
up to the present:
Ive only drunk one beer tonight, but I might have another.
11. Use the present perfect continuous when something has been happening continuously, without stopping.
12. Use the present perfect continuous to talk about events that started in the past, continue into the present, or
ended very recently*. *
, recientemente

Youve been drinking, havent you? I can smell alcohol on your breath. (an event ending very recently)
Shes been working on her taxes. (ended recently or possibly even continues into the present)
How long have you been waiting for the bus? (an event that has been going on continuously)

Book4ClassSetAW07-2 5/25/2014 10:44 AM Roland Trego - 133 -