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

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. Let’s 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. I’ve 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. It’s a completed

action. In #4, the event is continuing: I’m still reading it, or I was busy reading it until very recently (不久前,

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, we’ve repainted the room since you were here last time. Do you like it? (We have

finished painting the room. It’s a completed action.)

7. a. What’s going on in here?

b. Oh, I apologize for the mess. We’ve been repainting. Watch out for the cans! (We haven’t

finished painting. The action is still occurring, or it was happening until very recently.)

8. a. What are you up to?

b. I’ve been watching this program called “Seinfeld.” (still happening, or happening until very recently) Have

you ever seen it? It’s funny.

a. Yeah, I’ve watched it a couple of times. (completed actions)

9. a. What’s wrong?

b. It’s those darn construction workers. They’ve been playing their stupid loud music all

day long, and it’s driving me crazy! (The workers are still playing the music.)

a. Well, talk to their supervisor.

b. I have, but I don’t 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:

I’ve 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*. *不久前, recientemente

You’ve been drinking, haven’t you? I can smell alcohol on your breath. (an event ending very recently)

She’s 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)