The Present Perfect Continuous and the Present Perfect compared.
a) I have been painting the room. b) I have painted the room.
It will look good when it is finished. Does it look good?
(the activity is still in progress) (the activity is completed)
NOTES: We can normally use either the Present Perfect Continuous or the Present Perfect with live and work.
My sister has been living/has lived abroad for a long time.
How long have you been working/have worked here?
But: We use the Present Perfect with always.
My aunt has always lived in London.
(not "has always been living ")
We can use the Present Perfect or the Present Perfect Continuous:
a) for the actions repeated over a long period
My brother has been collecting/has collected stamps since he was a child.
b) to describe an activity that started in the past and continues up to the present and possibly into the future.
We have been studying English for two years.
We have studied English for two years.
(Both these sentences are correct. The Present Perfect Continuous puts more emphasis on the continuity of the activity.)
c) with lately or recently
We have been working/have worked hard lately. We use the Present Perfect in the negative sentences like: / haven't seen him since Sunday. (Sunday was the last time I saw her.)
She hasn 't phoned me for a week. (She phoned me a week ago.)
d) The verbs which don't have the idea of a long time, for example, start, stop, break, find, etc., and the verbs which express a state, for example, like, love, know, have (for possession) are not found in the Present Perfect Continuous.
How long have you brown her? How long have you had your car?
e) The Present Perfect expresses a completed action. That's why, if the sentence gives a number, the Present Perfect is used.
I have written three letters. We have translated two articles.
NOTE: Remember that a number of verbs which are not normally used in the continuous form can be used in the form of the Present Perfect Continuous.
/ have been feeling ill all day.
I have been wishing to speak to you ever since you returned.
Note that the Present Perfect Continuous is rendered in Russian by the present and by the past.
He's been teaching history for 20 years.
Он преподаёт историю 20 лет.
Why are your lips black? - I've been eating blackberries.
Почему твои губы чёрные? - Я ел чернику. I have been reading the novel War and Peace for two weeks.
Я читаю роман "Война и Мир " две недели,
(the previous duration of action is expressed)
I'm reading the novel War and Peace.
Я читаю роман "Война и Мир"
(at the present moment)
Note that there is no difference in translation into Russian.
Practice
/. Analyze the tenses in the following conversation.
Kate: Sorry I'm late.
Ann: It's OK. I haven't been waiting long. What have you been doing}
Kate: I've been with Mrs Smith. She has been helping me with my English.
Ann: Your English is good. How long have you been studying English?
Kate: Three years now. Since I came to England I have been trying to improve my English accent. I think it has been getting better lately.
Ann: Your accent is fine. Honestly.
2. Read the text and answer the questions below.
Ways of Training
Barbara has been walking across London every day from her flat to the hospital where she has been working for the last two years. Every weekend for the passed two months she has been jogging in the park and playing her favorite sport, tennis. She has even changed her diet. Barbara and nine others have been trying to raise the money for five years and have so far collected nearly 200,000. They are taking part in a sponsored climbing up and down Kilimanjaro's 19,340 feet, Africa's highest mountain. This is their final attempt to raise 250,000 they need to build accommodation for the families of children desperately ill in hospital.
There are no doubts about their fitness, they have all been training under the same coach.
1. How has Barbara been training for the climb?
2. In what way has Barbara been trying to help the sick children?
3. How long have they been trying to raise money?
4. Do you think this is a worthy cause?
5. What do you understand by the proverb "Charity begins at home"?
3. Role-play the following conversations.
Tom's News
T = Tom
A = Angela
T: Well, I've just finished college. I've been studying archaeology. And for the last month I've been working as a postman.
A: And what are you doing in London?
T: I'm trying to find a job. I've been going round museums to see if they need anybody. I've been writing letters for weeks!
A: Have you had many replies?
T: Well, a few, but not many. I've written at least thirty letters.
A: Poor old you! Look, let's go and have a cup of tea, and we can catch up on some more news.
T: What a lovely idea!
Phoning Home
M = Mother J = Justin
M: Hello. Bedford 21698.
J: Hello, Mum. It's me, Justin.
M: Hello, love. How are you?
J: I'm fine, but I'm really tired.
M: Oh - what have you been doing?
J: Well, we've just started exams, so I've been staying up late ... erm ... it was three o'clock last night ... yeah, I've been studying really hard.
M: OK. What else have you been doing?
J: Not a lot. I've been working too hard. Sometimes I go round to Linda's place and we study together.
M: Linda? I haven't heard about her before. Who is she?
J: You know - Linda - I'm sure I've told you about her. She's doing the same course as me. I've known her for ages. Anyway, Mum - now are you and Dad? What have you been doing all day?
M: Well, I've got another business trip tomorrow, so I've been packing all day - getting ready to go.
J: Packing? Oh, yes, I'd forgotten - you're going to Geneva. I hope it goes well ... erm ... How long are you away for?
M: Only three nights. It's a conference.
J: Oh, that's not too long. What about Dad? How is he? M: He's very well, but pretty tired. He's been gardening most of today, and watching cricket on TV.
J: Typical! A typical Sunday - gardening and cricket. Tell him I'll go to a match with him when I come home.
M: Oh, yes - when exactly are you coming home?
J: In two weeks. Term ends on the thirteenth. Oh - Mum,
would it be OK if Linda comes to stay in the holiday ?
M: That's fine, love. She's very welcome to stay. We'd like to meet her. J: Thanks, Mum.
M: Bye, love. And good luck in the exams!
J: Thanks. I need all the luck I can get. Bye! Have a good
time in Geneva!
M: Thanks. Take care of yourself and work hard. Bye.
4. Match a line in A with a line in B.
A
She's furious.
She's got paint in her hair.
She's crying.
Her back hurts.
She hasn't got any money left.
She's a bit burnt.
She's soaking wet.
The house smells of onions and garlic.
Her eyes hurt.
Everything's spotless.
В
Ann's been sunbathing.
She's been shopping.
She's been working in the garden.
She's been reading for hours.
She's been watching a sad film.
She's been waiting for hours.
She's been doing the housework.
She's been decorating the bathroom.
She's been cooking.
She's been bathing her children.
5. Put the verbs into the Present Perfect Continuous.
1. I'm tired. I (work) all day.
2. How long (you wait) here?
3.1 (stand) here since 6 o'clock.
4. How long (you learn) Chinese?
5. She (study) English for five years.
6. You're out of breath. ... (you run)?
7. We (live) here for twelve years.
8. My hands are dirty. I (repair) the car.
9. How long (the children, sleep)?
10. What (you, do) all afternoon?
11. They (ring) me about it every day for the past week.
12. It started raining last Monday and it (rain) ever since.
6. Read the situation and then write a sentence with the Present Perfect Continuous.
Model: Tom is out of breath, (he/climb/the mountain.) - He has been climbing the mountain.
1. The sun came out three hours ago. It's still shining brightly.(for)
2. Prices started rising six months ago. They are still rising, (for)
3. Bob has a black eye and Bill has a cut lip. (Bob and Bill/fight.)
4. George has just come back from the beach. He is very red.
(be/lie/in the sun.)
5. Janet is hot and tired, (she/play/tennis.)
6. You look very tired. (I/work/in the library.)
7. He looks exhausted. Yes. (he/run an hour.)
8. Hello. You are covered with paint from head to foot. - Oh
(I/paint the fence.)
9. Our chief looks very busy. - Yes. (He/make telephone calls
all morning.)
10. Hello. You look very fresh. - Yes. (I/walk in the park.)
11. Your friend sells computers, (since he/start/working here.)
12. Ten years ago Jane started writing to a pen friend. (write to each other)
13. I began looking for a job 2 years ago. (since that time)
14. We had our first holiday in Italy five yeas ago. We still go there. (for)
7. Ask questions for each situation.
Model: Your friend's hands are covered in oil. (you/work on the car?) Have you been working on the car?
1. You see a little boy. His eyes are red and watery, (you/cry?)
2. You have just arrived to meet your friend who is waiting for you. (you/wait/long?)
3. Your friend comes in. His face and hands are dirty, (what/ you/do?)
4. Arthur's arms are tired. (He/row?)
5. Uncle John's face is red. (he/lie in the sun?)
6. The boy's shoes are dirty, (he/walk in the mud?)
I. The dog is out of breath. (It/run?)
8. Michael's hands are aching, (he/carry two heavy bags?)
9. They started waiting for a bus not long ago. (How long ... ?)
10. Sarah is busy, (work hard recently?)
11. It's raining. (How long ...?)
12. Tom is a good chess-player, (since childhood?)
8. Say how long something has been happening:
Model: It is raining now. It began raining two hours ago.
It has been raining for two hours.
1. Kevin is studying. He began studying three hours ago. He. . .
2. I'm learning Spanish. I started learning Spanish in December. I... since December.
3. Ann is looking for a job. She began looking for it six months ago.
She ... for six months.
4. Mary is working in London. She started working there on 18 January.
She ... since 18 January.
5. George smokes. He started smoking five years ago. He ... for five years.
6. Mum is watering the garden. She ... for hours.
7. The boss is checking the figures. He ... for a long time.
8. The tooth is aching again. It ... since Monday.
9. The girl is reading a fairy tale. She ... for hours.
It is snowing.
10. It... for a week.
11. She is a teacher. She started working 5 years ago. She ....
12. John is sleeping. He went to bed two hours ago. He —
13. They are repairing the road. They ... for more than a month.
14. "Sorry. I'm late". "That's all right. I came ten minutes ago, I... only ... ".
9. Ask questions with how long.
Model: It is raining. How long has it been raining?
1. My foot is hurting. 2. Mike plays chess. 3. Jim sells washing machines. 4. Tom is living in the High Street. 5. Jane is writing letters. 6. George smokes. 7. Helen studies French. 8. The boys are playing football. 9. Ann is translating the text. 10. They are discussing the plan. 11. Dick is watching TV. 12. She is talking to her friend. 13. Your friend is waiting for you. 14. Victor writes books. 15. Bill and Andy make films.
10. Complete each mini-dialogue in the Present Perfect or the Present Prefect Continuous.
1. -I (phone) home all day, but there's no reply.
- I expect your mother (go) shopping.
2. - What's the matter? You look really tired.
-I am! I (study) all day, and I (not finish) yet.
3. - You (hear) the news? -What's news?
- Someone (rob) the bank at the end of the road.
4. - You (hear) from your friend lately?
- My friend (write) to me for years but he never (send) me a photo.
5. - Where are the children?
- They (fish) since morning and I'm sure they (catch) a lot of fish.
6. - How long you (live) in this city?
- I (live) here since I was born.
7. - What have you been doing lately?
- I (take) music lessons for 6 months.
8. - You are dirty. What you (do)?
- I (fix) my bike.
9. - I (phone) you for days, but you are never at home.
- I (work) on my course paper in the library.
10. - I (play) in this team for two years.
- Oh, your team (do) very well lately.
11. - Your sister just (come) to see you?
- No, she (stay) with us for three weeks already.
12. - That man (play) on the computer since early morning.
- Oh, he (not play). He (repair) our computer all day, but (not repair) it yet.
11. Use the proper tense form: the Present Perfect, the Present Perfect Continuous or the Past Indefinite.
A: I (not to see) you sister lately. She (go) away?
B: Yes, she (go) to England already.
A: When she (go)?
B: She (go) there at the end of last year.
A: You (have) any letters from her?
B: I haven't, but her husband (hear) from her regularly. He (think) about going out and joining her there.
A: She (live) in London or any other city?
B: She (work) in London for six months already and (live) there all this time.
A: Has she any problems with her English?
B: I don't think so. She (learn) English for a few years already and now she has a good language practice there. For ages I (want) to have such possibility to improve my English.
A: You (wait) too long. It's time for you to change something in your life.
B: You are right. I (think) about it myself.
12. Use the Present Perfect, the Present Perfect Continuous or the Present Continuous.
1. This old man (lose) his spectacles. We (look for) them everywhere, but we can't find them.
2. - You ever (work) as a translator?
- Yes, that is what I (do) for five years.
3. The students (work) hard this term. I hope they will pass all their exams successfully.
4. The boy (solve) the cross-word puzzle for an hour and now he (try) to solve the last word.
5. - Would you like a cup of coffee, Mum? I just (make)
some.
- No, thanks. I (not drink) coffee for two month already.
6. I often see him but, I never (speak) to him. I (wish) to speak to him ever since he started working here.
7. There aren't any buses because the drivers (go) on strike.
8. - The children (sleep) since nine o'clock. It's time they
woke up.
- I (try) to wake them up for half an hour already.
9. She (study) Chinese for two years, but can't speak this language yet.
10. My hands are all covered with flour. I (make) cakes.
11. It (rain) for two days and it looks as if it would never stop.
12. - She just (sell) two of her own paintings.
- She's lucky. I (paint) for five years and (not sell) a single picture yet.
13. I (wait) for the prices of the houses to come down before buying a house, but I think I (wait) too long and the prices are beginning to go up again.
14. I (stand) in this queue for ages. It (not move) at all in the last five minutes.
15. The students (translate) the article for 20 minutes but they (not finish) it yet.
16. Don't let the boy stay out so long. He (run about) foi three hours, and may catch a cold.
17. - Why you (wear) this hat? It looks strange! - I (wear) it
for a month and nobody (say) a word during all this time.
18. When did your friend graduate from university and where he (work) ever since?
19. Call the children in! They (play) outside since early morning and (not to do) their homework yet.
20. You (fix) this shelf for an hour. Let's ask Father to help you.
21. - You (choose) any books to read from my library?
- I (try) to choose something since you left me here, but it seems to me I (read) all of them.
22. - What your grandfather (do) since he retired?
- Oh, he (sell) vegetables at the market that he (grow) in his garden.
23. I'm afraid she (not to finish) typing those letters yet. She (deal) with customers all morning.
24. That jacket really suits you. How long (make) your own. clothes?
25. Jane (suffer) from headache since last week. She (go) to the doctor twice, but nothing (help) her yet.
26. The last time I went swimming was when I was in the South. I (not swim) since that time.
27. We (watch) this stupid film since lunch time. Let's switch over to the other channel.
28. I remember meeting your brother last summer, but I (not to see) him since then. What he (do) all this time?
13. Put in the Present Perfect, the Present Perfect Continuous or the Past Indefinite.
The Australian Salute
Before I (visit) Australia, an Australian friend in London (tell) me I'd learn "the Australian salute". "What's that?" I (ask). "You'll find out when you get there", he (say). I (arrive) in Perth last week. Since then, I (stay) at a nice hotel near a beautiful beach. I (never visit) Australia before and I am enjoying my stay. I (swim) every day from the time I (arrive). Yesterday, an Australian friend (suggest) a tour into "the bush". I (agree) at once. The first thing I (notice) when we (be) in the bush (be) the flies. After a while I (remember) the conversation I had had in London before I (come) here. "What's the "Australian salute"?" I (ask) suddenly, as I waved my right arm to keep the flies away. "That's it!" my friend said as he (wave) back!
14. Translate into English:
1. - Он уже окончил университет?
- Да, он уже два года пишет диссертацию.
2. - Вы уже приняли какое-либо решение по этому вопросу?
- Нет. Мы обсуждаем его уже полтора часа, но ещё не пришли ни к какому соглашению.
3. Уже двадцать лет, как наша семья живёт в этом городе. Город сильно изменился за это время.
4. - Кто взял книгу "Унесённые ветром"?
- Я дал её почитать своему другу.
- Давно он её читает?
- Неделю, хотя обычно он быстро читает книги.
5. Многие годы учёные проводят исследования, чтобы найти лекарство от этой болезни.
6. За прошедшие двадцать лет компьютер изменил жизнь человека до неузнаваемости. Я пользуюсь компьютером со школьных лет и не представляю свою жизнь без него.
7. - Сколько времени они играют эту шахматную партию?
- Они играют её уже второй день, но ещё не закончили.
8. - Что ты делаешь?
- Я ремонтирую наш телевизор целый вечер, и скоро мы посмотрим новый фильм.
9. - Чем он занимается?
- Он писатель. Он пишет книги уже много лет, но я читал только некоторые из них.
10. Вот библиотека, где работает моя сестра. Она работает здесь с тех пор, как окончила университет.
11. Иди домой и делай уроки. Ты играешь в футбол с тех пор, как пришёл из школы.
12. - Сколько времени ты носишь эту шляпу? Она выглядит странно.
- В самом деле? Я ношу её только в этом сезоне и не собираюсь покупать другую.
13. - Твой брат уехал работать в Англию?
- Да. Он работает в Англии уже два месяца. — Где он живёт всё это время?
- Я знаю, что он остановился в гостинице.
14. Сегодня праздник. Оркестр играет в парке с утра. Давай сходим туда.
15. Read and retell the following texts. Put questions to the sentences used in the Present Perfect Continuous. Work in pairs.
April Fools' Day
"To end our special news bulletin", said the voice of the television announcer, "we are taking you to the macaroni fields
of Calabria. The people have been growing macaroni in this area for over six hundred years. Two of the leading growers, Giuseppe Moldova and Ricardo Brabante, tell me that they have been expecting a splendid crop this year and harvesting has began earlier than usual. Here you can see two workers who, between them, have just finished cutting three cart-loads of golden brown macaroni stalks. The whole village has been working day and night gathering and threshing this year's crop before the September rains. On the right, you can see Mrs Brabante herself. She has been helping her husband for thirty years now. Mrs Brabante is talking to the manager of the local factory where the crop is processed. This last scene shows you what will happen at the end of the harvest: the famous Calabrian macaroni-eating competition! Signer Fratelli, the present champion, has won it every years since 1961. And that ends our special bulletin for today, Thursday, April 1st. We are now returning you to the studio".
A Successful Operation
The mummy of an Egyptian woman who died in 800 B.C. has just had an operation. The mummy is that of Shepenmut who was once a singer in the Temple of Thebes. As there were strange marks on the X-ray plates taken of the mummy, doctors have been trying to find out whether the woman died of a rare disease. The only way to do this was to operate. The operation, which lasted for over four hours, proved to be very difficult because of the hard resin which covered the skin. The doctors removed a section of the mummy and sent in to a laboratory. They also found something which the X-ray plates did not show: a small wax figure of the god Duamutef. This god which has the head of cow was normally placed inside a mummy. The doctors have not yet decided how the woman died. They feared that the mummy would fall to pieces when they cut it open, but fortunately this has not happened. The mummy successfully survived the operation.
Daily News
Good evening. Here is the six o'clock news. A demonstration against unemployment has been taking place in Manchester. Demonstrators have been marching
through the city for two hours. It is expected to finish in front of the town hall at five this evening where left-wing Members of Parliament will address the crowd.
The fire on the oil rig in the North Sea has been burning after the explosion since last Tuesday. Helicopters took the crew to safety, but firefighters have not been able to get close to the source of the fire. Bad weather is causing problems with gales and heavy seas.
Traffic in west London has been growing steadily since early this morning as fans have been arriving for today's football match at Wembley stadium where the England team is playing Brazil this afternoon. Police are advising motorists to avoid the area unless absolutely necessary.
Despite good weather over most of the country, Scotland has been experiencing some of the worst summer weather this country. It has been raining there for the last ten hours, the forecast suggests that it will continue until tomorrow morning, with a chance of thunder and lightning.