Present perfect continuous (I have been doing)
A. It has been raining. Study this example situation:
Is it raining? No, but the ground is wet.
It has been raining.
Have/has been ~ing is the present perfect continuous:
I/we/they/you have (= I've etc.) been doing/waiting/playing etc.
he/she/it has (= he's etc.) been doing/waiting/playing etc.
We use the present perfect continuous for an activity that has recently stopped
or just stopped. There is a connection with now:
* You're out of breath. Have you been running? (you're out of breath now)
* Paul is very tired. He's been working very hard. (he's tired now)
* Why are your clothes so dirty? What have you been doing?
* I've been talking to Carol about the problem and she thinks that ...
B. It has been raining for two hours. Study this example situation:
It is raining now. It began raining two hours ago and it is still raining.
How long has it been raining?
It has been raining for two hours.
We often use the present perfect continuous in this way, especially with how long,
for ... and since ... The activity is still happening (as in this example)
or has just stopped.
* How long have you been learning English? (you're still learning English)
* Tim is still watching television. He's been watching television all day.
* Where have you been? I've been looking for you for the last half hour.
* George hasn't been feeling well recently.
You can use the present perfect continuous for actions repeated over a period of time:
Debbie is a very good tennis player. She's been playing since she was eight.
Every morning they meet in the same cafe. They've been going there for years.
C. Compare I am doing (see Unit 1) and I have been doing:
I am doing (present continuous) -> now
* Don't disturb me now. I'm working.
* We need an umbrella. It's raining.
* Hurry up! We're waiting.
I have been doing (present perfect continuous)
* I've been working hard, so now I'm going to have a rest.
* The ground is wet. It's been raining.
* We've been waiting for an hour.
EXERCISES
9.1 What have these people been doing or what has been happening?
1. They have been shopping.
2. She ---
3. They ---
4. He ---
9.2 Write a question for each situation.
1. John looks sunburnt. You ask: (you/sit in the sun?) Have you been sitting in the sun?
2. You have just arrived to meet a friend who is waiting for you. You ask: (you/wait/long?)
3. You meet a friend in the street. His face and hands are very dirty. You ask: (what/you/do?)
4. A friend of yours is now living in Baker Street. You want to know 'How long ...?'
You ask: (how long/you/live/in Baker Street?)
5. A friend tells you about his job--he sells computers. You want to know 'How long ...?'
You ask: (how long/you/sell/computers?)
9.3 Read the situations and complete the sentences.
1. The rain started two hours ago. It's still raining now. It has been raining for two hours.
2. We started waiting for the bus 20 minutes ago. We're still waiting now.
We --- for 20 minutes.
3. I started Spanish classes in December. I'm still learning Spanish now.
I --- since December.
4. Ann began looking for a job six months ago. She's still looking now.
--- for six months.
5. Mary started working in London on 18 January. She's still working there now.
--- since 18 January.
6. Years ago you started writing to a pen-friend. You still write to each other regularly now.
We --- for years.
9.4 Put the verb into the present continuous (I am ~ing etc.)
or present perfect continuous (I have been ~ing etc.).
1. Maria has been learning (learn) English for two years.
2. Hello, Tom. I --- (look) for you all morning. Where have you been?
3. Why --- (you/took) at me like that? Stop it!
4. We always go to Ireland for our holidays. We --- (go) there for years.
5. I --- (think) about what you said and I've decided to take your advice.
6. 'Is Ann on holiday this week?' 'No, she ---e (work).'
7. Sarah is very tired. She --- (work) very hard recently.
