3.

2 Present Perfect
Continuous
When do we use the Present Perfect
Continuous?
We use the Present Perfect Continuous to talk about things that
started in the past and continue in the present, and for things
that started in the past and have results in the present.

She’s been studying Spanish for two years,

but she hasn’t been studying French.

A: Why are you covered in paint?

B: I’ve been painting my bedroom.

A: How long have you been sitting here?

B: Not long – about five minutes.
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 Read the text. How many examples of the Present
Perfect Continuous can you find?

My fashion show is tomorrow, and I’ve been feeling

really nervous about it today. My friend Elsa has
been trying to calm me down, but I just don’t think
my designs are good enough. Since I got home
from school, I’ve been making changes to some of
the outfits. But my little sister hasn’t been helping –
she keeps asking me silly questions. What have
you been doing this evening? I hope you’ve been
having a better time than me!

There are six examples. Look!

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How do we make the Present Perfect
Continuous?
Present Perfect Continuous
Affirmative I/You/We/They have been sleeping all day.
He/She/It has been waiting since 4 o’clock.
Negative I/You/We/They haven’t been sleeping all day.
He/She/It hasn’t been waiting since 4 o’clock.
Questions Have I/you/we/they been sleeping all day?
Yes, I/you/we/they have. No, I/you/we/they haven’t.
Has he/she/it been waiting since 4 o’clock?
We make the
Present Perfect Yes, he/she/it has. No, he/she/it hasn’t.
Continuous with
have + been + -ing
form.

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How do we make the Present Perfect
Continuous?
Present Perfect Continuous
I’ve been working on this essay for two hours.
(I’m still working on it.)
She’s been playing basketball all morning.
(She’s feeling tired now.)

Time expressions
all day/night
recently
We use the Present We also use it for How long …?
Perfect Continuous for actions that started in since last Friday/October
actions that started in the past and have since I woke up
the past and continue results in the present. for two hours/three years
in the present. for ages/a long time

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 Practice Time
Complete the sentences with the Present Perfect
Continuous form of the verbs below.
practise write eat wait collect save

1. Anna has been writing her own fashion blog since January.

2. have been waiting

We ________________________ for Jack for half an hour, and he’s still not ready!

3. has been collecting

My brother ________________________ baseball caps since he was little. He’s got over fifty!

4. have been practising their dance for the show all morning.
They ________________________

5. have been saving

I ________________________ my money to buy a jacket.

6. There’s chocolate all round your mouth!Have you been

________________________ (you) chocolate cake?
eating
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