The Present Perfect Continuous updated

The Present Perfect Continuous

When do we use this tense? 1) The present perfect continuous is used when we want to emphasize duration!

Example:

She has been writing for two hours.

When do we use this tense? 2) The present perfect continuous is used for an action that began in the past and is still going on. Example:

I have been living in Yoqneam since 2006.

When do we use this tense? 3) The present perfect continuous is used for an action that began in the past and whose effects are in the present. Example:

He has been studying all afternoon (He is tired now).

Form of the present perfect continuous subject + have/has+ been + V4 She has been writing for two hours. I have been living here since 2007.

Present Perfect Continuous forms: Positive: Subject + have/has + been + V4 Negative: Subject + have/has + not + been + V4

Y/N Question: Have/has + subject + been + V4 WH Question: WH + have/has + subject + been + V4

Using “since” or “for” • since – if the starting point is given (two o’clock, last Friday, 1998)

• for – if the period of time is given (twenty minutes, two days, one year)

Differences between the present perfect simple and continuous Guess what? There is not real big difference between the two!

However…..

(1) When we emphasize the ACTION we use the continuous form: Example: We have been working hard for two months! Example: She has been having a hard time.

(2) When we emphasize the RESULT of the action, we use the simple form:

Example: He has made fifteen phone calls this morning! Example: She has written a fabulous novel.

(3) When an action is finished and you can SEE THE RESULTS, use the continuous form: Example: You're red in the face. Have you been running? Example: The phone bill is enormous. You've been calling your boyfriend in Australia, haven't you?

(4) When you use the words ‘EVER'or‘NEVER', use the simple form:

Example: I don’t know them. I have never met them before! Example: Have you ever heard of anything so strange in your life?

Waiting For a Girl Like You Foreigner

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The Past Perfect Continuous

When is it used? 1)The past perfect continuous is used when we talk about actions or situations in the past that lasted up to another action in the past. Example: The boys had been fighting for two hours when we arrived.

When is it used? 2)The past perfect continuous is used to show the results of a continuous action in the past. Example: Julie was sunburnt because she had been lying in the sun for a long time.

How is it formed?

subject + had + been + V4 Example: The boys had been fighting for two hours when we arrived.

Past Perfect Continuous forms: Positive: Subject + had + been + V4 Negative: Subject + had + not + been + V4

Y/N Question: Had + subject + been + V4 WH Question: WH + had + subject + been + V4