Unit

9 Present perfect continuous (I have been doing)

A It’s been raining.
Study this example situation:

Is it raining?
No, but the ground is wet.
It’s been raining. (= It has been …)
have/has been + -ing is the present perfect continuous:

doing
I/we/they/you have (= I’ve etc.)
been working
he/she/it has (= he’s etc.)
learning etc.

We use the present perfect continuous for an activity that has recently stopped or just stopped:
Why are you out of breath? Have you been running?
Paul is very tired. He’s been working hard. have/has been + -ing
Why are you so tired? What have you been doing? present perfect continuous
I’ve been talking to Amanda and she agrees with me.
Where have you been? I’ve been looking for you. now

B It’s been raining for two hours.

Study this example situation:

It began raining two hours ago and it is still raining.

How long has it been raining?
It’s been raining for two hours. (= It has been …)
We 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)
Ben is watching TV. He’s been watching TV all day.
Where have you been? I’ve been looking for you for the last half hour.
Chris hasn’t been feeling well recently.
You can use the present perfect continuous for repeated actions:
Silvia 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 and I have been doing:

I am doing I have been doing

present continuous present perfect continuous

now
Don’t disturb me now. I’m working.
We need an umbrella. It’s raining.
Hurry up! We’re waiting.
now
I’ve been working hard. Now I’m going
to have a break.
The ground is wet. It’s been raining.
We’ve been waiting for an hour.

18 Present perfect continuous and simple ➜ Units 10–11 Present perfect + for/since ➜ Units 11–12
 Unit
Exercises 9
9.1 What have these people been doing or what has been happening?
1 earlier 2 earlier 3 earlier 4 earlier

now now now now

It’s been raining. She They He

9.2 Write a question for each situation.

1 You meet Kate as she is leaving the swimming pool. You say:
Hi, Kate. (you / swim?) Have you been swimming?
2 You have arrived a little late to meet Ben who is waiting for you. You say:
I’m sorry I’m late, Ben. (you / wait / long?)
3 Jane’s little boy comes into the house with a very dirty face and dirty hands. His mother says:
Why are you so dirty? (what / you / do?)
4 You are in a shop and see Anna. You didn’t know she worked there. You say:
Hi, Anna. (how long / you / work / here?)
5 A friend tells you about his job – he sells phones. You say:
You sell phones? (how long / you / do / that?)
9.3 Read the situations and complete the sentences.
1 It’s raining. The rain started two hours ago.
It ’s been raining for two hours.
2 We are waiting for the bus. We started waiting 20 minutes ago.
We for 20 minutes.
3 I’m learning Japanese. I started classes in December.
I since December.
4 Jessica is working in a hotel. She started working there on 18 January.
since 18 January.
5 Our friends always go to Italy for their holidays. The first time was years ago.
for years.
9.4 Put the verb into the present continuous (am/is/are + -ing) or present perfect continuous (have/has
been + -ing).
1 Maria has been learning (Maria / learn) English for two years.
2 Hi, Tom. (I / look) for you. I need to ask you something.
3 Why (you / look) at me like that? Stop it!
4 Rachel is a teacher. (she / teach) for ten years.
5 (I / think) about what you said and I’ve decided to take
your advice.
6 ‘Is Paul on holiday this week?’ ‘No, (he / work).’
7 Sarah is very tired. (she / work) very hard recently.
8 It’s dangerous to use your phone when (you / drive).
9 Laura (travel) in South America for the last three months.

19
Unit Present perfect continuous and simple
10 (I have been doing and I have done)
A Compare these two situations:

I’ve been painting

my bedroom.
I’ve painted my bedroom.

There is paint on Kate’s clothes.
She has been painting her bedroom.
has been painting is the present perfect
continuous.
We are thinking of the activity. It does not matter
whether it has been finished or not. In this
example, the activity (painting the bedroom) has
not been finished.
The bedroom was green. Now it is yellow.
She has painted her bedroom.
has painted is the present perfect simple.
Here, the important thing is that something has
been finished. ‘She has painted’ is a completed
action. We are thinking about the result of
the activity (the painted bedroom), not the
activity itself.

B Compare these examples:

My hands are very dirty. I’ve been
repairing my bike.
Joe has been eating too much recently.
He should eat less.
It’s nice to see you again. What have you
been doing since we last met?
Where have you been? Have you been
playing tennis?
My bike is OK again now. I’ve repaired
it. (= I’ve finished repairing it)
Somebody has eaten all the chocolates.
The box is empty.
Where’s the book I gave you? What have
you done with it?
Have you ever played tennis?

C We use the continuous to say how long (for
something that is still happening):
How long have you been reading that
book?
Amy is writing emails. She’s been writing
emails all morning.
They’ve been playing tennis since 2 o’clock.
I’m learning Arabic, but I haven’t been
learning it very long.
We use the simple to say how much, how many
or how many times (for completed actions):
How many pages of that book have
you read?
Amy has sent lots of emails this morning.
They’ve played tennis three times this
week.
I’m learning Arabic, but I haven’t learnt
very much yet.

D Some verbs (for example, know) are not normally used in continuous forms (be + -ing):
I’ve known about the problem for a long time. (not I’ve been knowing)
How long have you had that camera? (not have you been having)
For a list of these verbs, see Unit 4A. For have, see Unit 17.
But note that you can use want and mean in the present perfect continuous (have/has been + -ing):
I’ve been meaning to phone Anna, but I keep forgetting.

Present perfect simple ➜ Units 7–8 Present perfect continuous ➜ Unit 9

20 Present perfect + for/since ➜ Units 11–12
 Unit
Exercises 10
10.1 Read the situation and complete the sentences. Use the verbs in brackets.
1 Tom started reading a book two hours ago. He is still reading it and now he is on page 53.
He has been reading for two hours. (read)
He has read 53 pages so far. (read)
2 Rachel is from Australia. She is travelling round Europe. She began her trip three months ago.
She for three months. (travel)
six countries so far. (visit)
3 Patrick is a tennis player. He began playing tennis when he was 10 years old. This year he won the national
championship again – for the fourth time.
the national championship four times. (win)
since he was ten. (play)
4 When they left college, Lisa and Sue started making films together. They still make films.
They films since they left college. (make)
five films since they left college. (make)

10.2 Ask questions using the words in brackets. Use the present perfect simple (have/has done) or
continuous (have/has been doing).
1 You have a friend who is learning Arabic. You ask:
(how long / learn / Arabic?) How long have you been learning Arabic?
2 You have just arrived to meet a friend. She is waiting for you. You ask:
(wait / long?) Have
3 You see somebody fishing by the river. You ask:
(catch / any fish?)
4 Some friends of yours are having a party next week. You ask:
(how many people / invite?)
5 A friend of yours is a teacher. You ask:
(how long / teach?)
6 You meet somebody who is a writer. You ask:
(how many books / write?)
(how long / write / books?)
7 A friend of yours is saving money to go on a world trip. You ask:
(how long / save?)
(how much money / save?)

10.3 Put the verb into the present perfect simple or continuous.
1 Where have you been? Have you been playing (you / play) tennis?
2 Look! (somebody / break) that window.
3 You look tired. (you / work) hard?
4 ‘ (you / ever / work) in a factory?’ ‘No, never.’
5 Where’s Lisa? Where (she / go)?
6 This is a very old book. (I / have) it since I was a child.
7 ‘Have you been busy?’ ‘No, (I / watch) TV.’
8 My brother is an actor. (he / appear) in several films.
9 ‘Sorry I’m late.’ ‘That’s all right. (I / not / wait) long.’
10 Are you OK? You look as if (you / cry).
11 ‘Is it still raining?’ ‘No, (it / stop).’
12 The children are tired now. (they / play) in the garden.
13 (I / lose) my phone. (you / see) it?
14 (I / read) the book you lent me, but
(I / not / finish) it yet. It’s really interesting.
15 (I / read) the book you lent me, so you can have it back now.

21
 Key to Exercises

5.2 UNIT 7 8.2

2 taught 3 haven’t eaten
7.1
3 sold 4 I haven’t played (it)
2 Her English has improved.
4 fell … hurt 5 I’ve had / I have had
3 My bag has disappeared.
5 threw … caught 6 I haven’t read
4 Lisa has broken her leg.
6 spent … bought … cost 7 I’ve never been / I haven’t been
5 The bus fare has gone up.
8 it’s happened / it has happened or
5.3 6 Dan has grown a beard.
that’s happened / that has happened
2 did you travel / did you go 7 It’s stopped raining. / It has stopped
9 I’ve never tried / I haven’t tried or
3 did it take (you) / was your trip / were raining.
I’ve never eaten / I haven’t eaten
you there 8 My sweater has shrunk. / My
10 ’s been / has been
4 did you stay sweater’s shrunk.
11 I’ve never seen / I haven’t seen
5 Was the weather
7.2
6 Did you go to / Did you see / 8.3
2 been 4 gone
Did you visit Example answers:
3 gone 5 been
2 I haven’t travelled by bus this week.
5.4
7.3 3 I haven’t been to the cinema
3 didn’t disturb
2 Have you seen it recently.
4 left
3 I’ve forgotten / I have forgotten 4 I haven’t read a book for ages.
5 were
4 he hasn’t replied 5 I haven’t lost anything today.
6 didn’t sleep
5 has it finished
7 didn’t cost 8.4
6 The weather has changed
8 flew 2 It’s the first time they’ve seen a
7 You haven’t signed
9 didn’t have giraffe. / … they have seen …
8 have they gone
10 wasn’t 3 She’s / She has never ridden a horse
9 He hasn’t decided yet
before.
10 I’ve just seen her / I have just seen her
UNIT 6 11 He’s already gone / He has
4 This is the second time they’ve been
6.1 to Japan. / … they have been to
already gone
2 wasn’t listening Japan.
12 Has your course started yet
3 were sitting 5 It’s not the first time she’s / she has /
You can also use the past simple (Did
4 was working Emily has stayed at this hotel.
you see, he didn’t reply etc.) in this
5 weren’t looking 6 He’s / He has / Ben has never played
exercise.
6 was snowing tennis before. or He/Ben hasn’t
7.4 played tennis before.
7 were you going
2 he’s just gone out / he has just
8 was looking
gone out or he just went out UNIT 9
6.2 3 I haven’t finished yet. or I didn’t
9.1
2 e 5 c finish yet.
2 ’s been watching TV / has been
3 a 6 d 4 I’ve already done it. / I have already
watching TV or … watching
4 g 7 b done it. or I already did it. / I did it
television
6.3 already.
3 ’ve been playing tennis / have
1 didn’t see … was looking 5 Have you found a place to live yet?
been playing tennis
2 was cycling … stepped … or Did you find a place …?
4 ’s been running / has been running
was going … managed … 6 I haven’t decided yet. or I didn’t
decide yet. 9.2
didn’t hit
7 she’s just come back / she has just 2 Have you been waiting long?
6.4 3 What have you been doing?
come back or she just came back
2 were you doing 4 How long have you been working
3 Did you go UNIT 8 here?
4 were you driving … happened 5 How long have you been doing that?
8.1
5 took … wasn’t looking
2 Have you ever been to California? 9.3
6 didn’t know … did
3 Have you ever run a marathon? 2 ’ve been waiting / have been waiting
7 saw … was trying
4 Have you ever spoken to a famous 3 ’ve been learning Japanese /
8 was walking … heard … was
person? have been learning Japanese
following … started
5 What’s the most beautiful place 4 She’s been working there /
9 wanted … changed
you’ve ever visited? / … you have She has been working there
10 dropped … was doing … didn’t break
ever visited? 5 They’ve been going there /
They have been going there or …
going to Italy

337
 Key to Exercises

9.4 UNIT 11 12.3

2 I’ve been looking / I have been 3 He has been ill/unwell since Sunday.
11.1
looking 4 She got married a year ago.
2 have you lived
3 are you looking 5 I’ve had a headache since I woke up.
3 It’s raining
4 She’s been teaching / She has 6 The meeting started/began at
4 has been
been teaching 9 o’clock.
5 Have you been waiting
5 I’ve been thinking / I have 7 I’ve been working in a hotel for six
6 We’re living
been thinking months. / I’ve been working there …
7 I haven’t known
6 he’s working / he is working 8 Kate started learning Japanese a
8 She’s
7 She’s been working / She has long time ago.
9 have you had
been working
10 I’ve been feeling 12.4
8 you’re driving / you are driving
2 No, I haven’t seen Lisa/her
9 has been travelling 11.2
for about a month.
2 How long have you known
3 No, I haven’t been swimming for a
UNIT 10 Katherine?
long time.
3 How long has your sister
10.1 4 No, I haven’t ridden a bike for ages.
been in Australia?
2 She’s been travelling / She has been 6 No, it’s about a month since I (last)
4 How long have you been
travelling … saw Lisa/her. or
teaching English? / How long have
She’s visited / She has visited … No, it’s been about a month since …
you taught English?
3 He’s won / He has won … 7 No, it’s a long time since I
5 How long have you had that jacket?
He’s been playing tennis / He has (last) went swimming. or
6 How long has Joe been working
been playing … No, it’s been a long time since …
at the airport? / How long has Joe
4 They’ve been making / They 8 No, it’s ages since I (last) rode a bike.
worked at the airport?
have been making … or No, it’s been ages since …
7 Have you always lived in Chicago?
They’ve made / They have made …
10.2
11.3 UNIT 13
3 ’s been / has been
2 Have you been waiting long? 13.1
4 ’s / is
3 Have you caught any fish? 2 has gone 5 had
5 haven’t played
4 How many people have you invited? 3 forgot 6 has broken
6 ’ve been waiting / have been waiting
5 How long have you been teaching? 4 went
7 ’ve known / have known
6 How many books have you written?
8 hasn’t been 13.2
How long have you been writing
9 lives or ’s living / is living 3 did William Shakespeare write
books?
10 ’s lived / has lived or ’s been living 4 OK
7 How long have you been
/ has been living 5 Who invented
saving (money)?
11 ’s been watching / has been 6 OK
How much money have you saved?
watching 7 We washed
10.3 12 haven’t watched 8 Where were you born?
2 Somebody’s broken / 13 ’ve had / have had 9 OK
Somebody has broken 14 haven’t been 10 Albert Einstein was the scientist who
3 Have you been working 15 ’ve always wanted / have always developed
4 Have you ever worked wanted 13.3
5 has she gone
3 I’ve forgotten / I have forgotten
6 I’ve had / I have had UNIT 12 4 arrested
7 I’ve been watching / I have been
12.1 5 it’s improved / it has improved
watching
2 for (also correct without for) 6 Have you finished
8 He’s appeared / He has appeared
3 for (also correct without for) 7 I applied
9 I haven’t been waiting
4 since 8 It was
10 you’ve been crying / you have
5 for 9 There’s been / There has been
been crying
6 since 10 did you find … It was
11 it’s stopped / it has stopped
7 since 11 He’s / He has broken … or He
12 They’ve been playing / They
8 for broke … did that happen … He fell
have been playing
13 I’ve lost / I have lost … Have 12.2
2 How long have you had this car?
UNIT 14
you seen
14 I’ve been reading / I have been 3 How long have you been waiting? 14.1
reading … I haven’t finished 4 When did your course start? 3 OK
15 I’ve read / I have read 5 When did Anna arrive in London? 4 I bought
6 How long have you known each 5 Where were you
other? 6 Maria left school
7 OK
8 OK
9 OK
10 When was this bridge built?

338