Video A

Introduction to answering Yes to questions with Have Been + “ing” verb

Hello and welcome

to your MES eLesson.
I'm Natalie.
Today you’re going
to learn
the what, the how and the when of answering
Have Been + “ing” verb questions.
Let’s start with “WHAT.” <What are
Have Been + “ing” verb statements and answers used for?>

They are used to

talk about something
that started in the past
and still continues now,
for example,

“I’ve been sitting here for five minutes.”

The “simple progressive” is used for something which

starts and stops in the past,
for example:

“I was sitting here five minutes ago.”

Good. Now, let’s learn “HOW.” <How do you use Have Been + “ing” verb statements and answers?>
<1. Know your conjugation>
First, know how
to conjugate
“have” + “been”,
using contractions.
If you want to talk about yourself, please repeat:

Yes, I’ve been

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If you want to talk about me,
Yes, you’ve been
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If you want to talk about Geoff,
Yes, he’s been
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If you want to talk about Ali,
Yes, she’s been
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If you want to talk about us,
Yes, we’ve been
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If you want to talk about them,
Yes, they’ve been
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It’s very important
to memorize this
conjugation fluently
before you start
practicing Video B.

<2. Know your verbs>

Next, know your verbs,
and really study your vocabulary.
For example,
I’ve been:
keeping in touch.
persevering.
generating.

<3. Know how to build a statement or answer>

Finally, to build a more specific answer,
you can use an adverb,
for example;

“I’ve been watching TV closely.”,

a time reference, for example,

“I’ve been watching TV all morning.”

or a prepositional phrase, for example;

“I’ve been watching TV from the living room sofa”.

So, finally, <when do you use Have Been + “ing” verb statements and answers?>

You use them to talk about people’s experiences in the recent past
and to learn the duration of their activities.
Excellent!
<motion> Quick Review
Now, let’s review!
First, <What are Have Been + “ing” verb statements and answers used for?>

They are used for

talking about experiences that started in the past
and still continue now.
Second, <How do you use Have Been + “ing” verb statements and answers?>

You use them by

knowing the conjugation
of Have been,
and building a
more specific
statement or answer
with the
vocabulary,
adverbs,
time references
and prepositional phrases.
Third, <When do
you use Have Been + “ing” verb statements or answers?>

You use
them to talk about the
length of people’s recent experiences.

Well done! Let’s move

on to Video B to really practice making a
variety of
your own statements and answers! Remember to
keep on reviewing your vocabulary.
I'm Natalie and
I look forward to
seeing you soon.

Video B

Practicing answering questions with Have Been + “ing” verb.

Hi and welcome back

to your MES eLesson.
I’m Natalie.
Now that
you understand
the concept of
answering questions with
Have Been + “ing” verb,
let’s really practice.
Before we begin,
let's review the
conjugation that you
learned in Video A.
Please repeat after
me and remember to
focus on your
pronunciation and conversation speed.

Yes, I’ve been

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Good, let’s do it faster.
Yes, I’ve been
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Excellent.
Yes, you’ve been
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Good, let’s speed it up again.
Yes, you’ve been
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Good, that’s the speed
you should use in order
to speak fluently.
Let’s continue.
Yes, he’s been
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Yes, she’s been
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Yes, we’ve been
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Yes, they’ve been
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Great! You need to memorize this conjugation
for fluency.
Let’s move on.
Let’s build
a full answer with
the verb "hoping".
Please repeat after me.

Yes, I’ve been hoping.

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Yes, you’ve been hoping.
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Now, let’s work on your speed and do that one again.
Yes, you’ve been hoping.
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Yes, he’s been hoping.
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Excellent, now let’s add
the time reference “all evening”. Please repeat.

Yes, she’s been hoping all evening.

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Yes, we’ve been hoping all evening.
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Yes, they’ve been hoping all evening.
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Great! Let’s start practicing.
This time, let’s
practice changing the
subject and
using the same verb
“hoping” plus
" all evening".
Please read and
listen first, and then
answer the question.

Have you been hoping all evening?

Please answer.
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Good job! <motion> Remember you have to
work on your speed.
Please repeat:

Yes, I’ve been hoping all evening.

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Has Mia?
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Yes, she’s been hoping all evening.
Please repeat.
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Good job. Now let’s practice changing the verb
to "worrying.”

<motion> Have you been worrying all evening?

Please answer.
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Excellent! Yes, I’ve been worrying all evening. Please repeat.
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Good! Has Britney?
Please answer.
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Yes, she’s been worrying all evening. Please repeat.
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Great! Let’s change the verb.
Have you been redecorating your kitchen?
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Good! Remember to
work on your intonation. Please repeat.
Yes, I’ve been redecorating my kitchen.
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What about your uncle, Max?
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Good! Yes, he’s been redecorating his kitchen. Please repeat again.
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Great! Now let’s
make a more specific question by changing
to the prepositional phrase “for the past six months”.

Have you been redecorating your kitchen for the past six months?
Please answer.
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Very nice! Yes, I’ve been redecorating my kitchen for the past six months.
Please repeat.
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Great! Let’s change the verb. Has Moe been doing cancer research for the past six months?
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Yes, he’s been doing cancer research for the past six months. Please repeat.
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Great job! Let’s practice
with the verb “restricting funds” plus the
prepositional phrase
“since the start-up.”

Has Roberto been restricting funds since the start-up?

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Yes, he’s been restricting funds since the start-up. Please repeat.
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Good. Now let’s practice some modern English.
“restricting” can also
be said as
“skimping on.”
Remember, speed
and intonation
are important when
you use slang!
Ready?

Has Roberto been skimping on funds since the start-up?

Please answer.
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Yes, he’s been skimping on funds since the start-up. Please repeat.
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Follow my intonation, repeat after me:
Yes, he’s been skimping on funds since the start-up.
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Excellent. Now let's try
using a prepositional
phrase instead of a time reference.

Have you been skimping on luxuries due to rising food costs? Please answer.
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Yes, I’ve been skimping on luxuries due to rising food costs. Please repeat.
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Let's try another verb and prepositional phrase.

Have you been recovering mentally and physically over this long weekend?
Please answer.
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Yes, I’ve been recovering mentally and physically over this long weekend.
Please repeat.
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Great! Let’s learn the slang
for “recovering mentally and physically”:
“recharging” and change
the prepositional phrase.
Ready?

Have Kenny and Phil been recharging after their night of heavy drinking?
Please answer.
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Yes, they’ve been recharging after their night of heavy drinking. Please repeat.
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Great! Let’s use the verb
“talking about.”

Has Francis been talking badly about his new co-worker?

Please answer.
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Good work! Yes, he’s been talking badly about his new co-worker. Please repeat.
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Great! So, for the last one,
let’s learn the slang
for “talking badly about:” “bad-mouthing.” Ready?

Has Francis been bad-mouthing his new co-worker?

Please answer.
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Well Done! Yes, he’s been bad-mouthing his new co-worker. Please repeat.
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Great! Please practice
with this video until
you are able to answer
questions fluently!