The Present Perfect Continuous

We use the present perfect continuous:

a) to put emphasis on the duration of an action which started in the past and continues up to the present, especially with time

expressions such as for, since, all morning/day/ year, etc.

Sam has been talking on

the phone for half an hour (He began talking on the phone half an hour ago and he is still talking)

b) for an action which started in the past and lasted for some time. The action may have finished or may still be going on.

The result of the action is visible in the present.

Her feet hurt She has been walking all morning (The result of the action is visible in the present - her feet hurt)

c) to express anger, irritation or annoyance.

Somebody has been giving away

our plans

(The speaker is irritated)

Note: | With the verbs live, work, teach and feel (= have

I a particular emotion) we can use the present

perfect or present perfect continuous with no

difference in meaning.

We have lived/have been living here for twenty years

The present perfect continuous is used with the following time expressions: for, since, how long, lately, recently.

Ex.

Read the text and retell it. Find the cases of the Present Perfect Progressive and comment on them.

In the evening Mrs. Dursley told her husband that s had had a nice, normal day. She told him over dinner all about Mrs. Next Door's problems with her daughter and how Dudley had learned a new word ("Won't!"). When Dudley had been put to bed, he went into the living room in time to catch the last report on the evening news:

"And finally, bird-watchers everywhere have reported that the nation's owls have been behaving very unusually today. Although owls normally hunt at night and are hardly ever seen in daylight, there have been hundreds of sightings of these birds flying in every direction since sunshine. Experts are unable to explain why the owls have suddenly changed their sleeping pattern." The newscaster allowed himself a grin. "Most mysterious. And now, over to Jim McGuffin with the weather. Going to be any more showers of owls tonight, Jim?" "Well, Ted," said the weatherman, "I don't know about that, but it's not only the owls that have been acting oddly today. Viewers as far apart as Kent, Yorkshire, and Dundee have been phoning in to tell me that instead of the rain I promised yesterday, they've had a downpour of shooting stars! Perhaps people were celebrating Bonfire Night early — it's not until next week, folks! But I can promise a wet night tonight." Mr. Dursley sat frozen in his armchair. Shooting stars all over Britain? Mysterious people in cloaks all over the place?

(from "Harry Potter" by J.K. Rowling)

Ex.

Put in the verbs. Use the present perfect continuous.

Ilona: Sorry I'm late.

Emma: It's OK. (e.g.) I haven't been waiting (I / not / wait) long.

What (1) … (you/do)?

Ilona: I've been with Mrs King. (2) … (she / help) me with my English.

Emma: Your English is very good. You don't need lessons, surely.

How long (3) … (you / study) English?

Ilona: Er, eight years now. But my accent wasn't so good before I came to England.

(4) … (I / try) to improve it. I think (5) … (it / get) better lately.

Emma: Your accent is fine, Ilona. Honestly.

Ex. 41

Combine the two sentences into one by introducing the Present Perfect Continuous.

Example: It started raining last Sunday. It is still raining. – It has been raining since last Sunday.

1. Kevin is studying. He began studying two hours ago. 2. My family and I moved to Canada in 1978. We are still living in Canada. 3. Our tourist group began to travel in the Crimea a week ago. We’re still traveling in the mountains. 4. In 1990 Dories went to Helsinki to teach children English. She is still teaching them. 5. the guest from room 1207 started bathing at 7 o’clock. It’s 8 o’clock, and he’s still bathing. 6. Mary’s dream is to make a tour round the United States. Two years have passed but her dream hasn’t come true yet. So Mary is still looking forward to it. 7. The college lecturers were sent to study at Pace University eight months ago. They are still studying there. 8. Ann is looking for a job. She began looking six months ago. 9. George is working in Cardiff. He started working there on 22 March. 10. Harry began working out a business plan on Monday this week. He is still working at it. 11. They’re discussing the terms of the treaty. They began discussing them at noon. 12. According to the contract the plant started delivering cement to our construction site three years ago. It is still delivering it.

Ex. 42

Read the situation and then write a sentence with the Present Perfect Continuous denoting an action which began in the past and has recently stopped.

Example: Ann is very tired. (work/hard) – She has been working hard.

1. Tom has just come back from the beach. He’s very red. (lie/in the sun) 2. Janet is hot and tired. (play/tennis) 3. Mary’s got paint on her hands. (decorate) 4. Bob has a black eye and Bill has a cut lip. (fight) 5. You see a little girl. Her eyes are red and watery. (cry) 6. Your son’s shoes are dirty. (walk/in the forest) 7. Tony’s got oil on his hands. (repair/his car) 8. Nick’s lost his voice. (shout/at the football match) 9. Your mother’s got flour on her hands. (cook) 10. She’s got a sore throat. (eat/ice-cream/too much) 11. Your colleague looks very enthusiastic. (discuss/the question if his wages increase/with the boss) 12. The boss looks exhausted. (have a talk/with the customer/be always displeased/with the service).

Ex. 42

Complete the sentences with the given verbs, using only the Present Perfect Progressive:

cry, learn, live, play (twice), rain, wait(twice), walk, work

1) It __ all day. 2) I __ English since I was six. 3) She __ tennis professionally for ten years. 4) We __ not __ in this house for very long. 5) That man __ up and down the street for ages. 6) I __ very hard this week. 7) She __ non-stop since she got his letter. 8) He __ that music for hours. I wish he’d stop. 9) __ you __ long, sir? 10) They call me waiter, but you __ for half an hour.

Ex. 42

Put together the beginnings and ends of the conversations:

- Aren’t you hungry? - Helen’s been looking at them.

- Is it true that Philip’s been arrested? - I’ve been gardening all afternoon. - Janet seems very cheerful. - I’ve been swimming.

- She’s very dirty. - I’ve been talking to Henry, and he just goes on.

- Why are my books all over the floor? - No, I’ve eating all day.

- Why is your hair wet? - She’s been cleaning the cellar.

- You all look very miserable. - She’s been skiing with Roger for the last week

- You look tired. - Yes, he’s been stealing things from shops.

- You’re very late. - Yes, I’ve been painting the ceiling.

- Your hair is all white. - Yes, we’ve been telling each other our life

stories.

Ex. 42

Use the Pr.P.Progressive to say what has just been happening to cause the state of things expressed in the following sentences:

1) His clothes ear wet. to walk in the rain. 2) You look upset. to say dreadful things about. 3) I’m so glad to be able to talk to someone. to have a very dull time. 4) Why do you think I ought to give up my work? to talk to the doctor. 5) You look excited. to try to talk someone out of doing something. 6) He is very tired. to overwork. 7) The streets are wet. to rain. 8) I can’t write a loving letter now. to write too many officials papers. 9) The air in the room is hazy. to smoke a great deal.

Ex.

Complete the sentences by using the right tense of the given hints.

1. Why are your eyes red? 2. The kitchen smells of fresh fruit. 3. Why is the computer switched on? 4. You both look upset. 5. Ben, why are your jeans torn? 6. My clothes are all on the bed. 7. Your hands are in flour. 8. Why have you all fallen silent? 9. My fingers are sticky. 10. Little Nancy's face is in something brown. 11. Why is your room in such a mess? 12. There are empty bottles and glasses and packets all over the place. 13. Mary, your hands are so cold!

a. celebrate something b. look for the passport c. eat a Mars bar d. talk about me again? e. eat honey f. bake a pie? g. my daughter, try on h. play football i. quarrel again j. look for the programme k. make a fruit salad 1. watch television for hours m.clean the snow off the doorstep

Ex. 43

Rewrite each sentence using the Present Perfect Continuous form of an appropriate verb from the list below and for or since.

go on invest live run serve suffer

Example: Henry moved to California three years ago. – Henry has been living in California for three years.

1. The project to send astronauts to Mars began in 1991. - ………………………………

2. Campbell began a life sentence for murder in 1992. - …………………………………

3. Colin James took over as head of the company six months ago. - ……………………

4. Graham’s knee injury began at the US Open earlier this year. - ………………………

5. Local authorities began to invest heavily in new computer systems at the beginning of the 1990s. - ……………………………………………………………………………….

Ex. 44

Translate these sentences into English. Mind the use of the Present Perfect Continuous.

1. Де ти був? Батько шукає тебе з самого ранку. 2. Я давно хочу поговорити з твоїм братом, а у нього все немає часу вислухати мене. 3. „Скільки часу ви живете в цьому місті?” – „Мої батьки переїхали сюди, коли мені виповнилось 10 років. З тих пір ми тут і живемо.” 4. Кейт виглядає дуже стомленою. І це не дивно, адже останнім часом вона багато працювала, щоб гарно підготувати дипломний проект. 5. „Чому нікого з персоналу готелю немає на місці? Мені потрібно попрасувати брюки.” – „Персонал готелю зараз обговорює питання покращення сервісу.” – „Цікаво, скільки часу вони обговорюють це питання? Я уже півгодини чекаю, щоб мені хтось допоміг.” 6. „Що у тебе тут відбувається? Тебе не видно за паперами, довідниками і калькуляторами.” – „Я шукав помилку в фінансовому звіті однієї фірми і знайшов її. Зараз відпочиваю.” – „І довго ти шукав?” – „Віриш чи ні, але мені знадобилося 2 години, щоб знайти її.” 7. –„Що це наш босс не в настрої?” – „А він біля години розмовляв з одним покупцем. Та ти її знаєш, це місіс Браун, яка завжди усім незадоволена. Вона щойно пішла.” 8. Мы слушали тебя очень внимательно последние два часа, и теперь мы уверены, что ты говоришь правду,

9. Ты встречаешься с кем-нибудь последнее время? 10. Ты можешь все мне рассказать. Ты доверяла мне все свои секреты с тех пор, как научилась говорить. 11. Мы живем рядом с Романовыми двадцать четыре года. И мы всегда были хорошими соседями. 12. «Я хранила это кольцо много лет и теперь отдаю его тебе», — сказала мне бабушка. 13. Не могу передать, что чувствовали твои родители все то время, пока тебя не было. 14. — Давно мы не встречаем (to see) эту девушку. — Да, мы не видели (to meet) ее с тех пор, как вернулись из Парижа. 15. Мой сын собирает ма­шинки (toy cars) с трех лет. 16. Я с утра готовлю, на­деюсь, обед всем понравится. 17. Всю свою жизнь я работаю как раб для того, чтобы мои дети получили хорошее образование. 18. — Как давно ты носишь эти очки? — Они у меня уже два года. 19. Что это здесь происходит, мальчики? Вы что, дрались? 20. Есть не­что, о чем я уже давно хочу (to mean) спросить тебя. 21. Последние несколько недель она иллюстрируй детскую книжку. 22. — Как давно вы стоите в оче­реди? — Мы здесь с тех пор, как касса открылась. 23. Парламент дебатирует по этому вопросу уже двадцать лет.

Ex. 45

Underline the correct alternative:

1) Bullfighting is going on/has been going on in Spain for centuries. 2) I always find/have always been finding it difficult to get up on winter mornings. 3) I have been wanting/want to meet you since I saw your concert. 4) Over the last six months I have been learning/am learning how to play the flute. 5) The phone has been ringing/is ringing. Can you answer it? 6) How long have you learned/have you been learning Japanese? 7) During the last few days the company has been working/works hard to modernize its image.

Ex. 45

Replace the infinitives in brackets using the Present Perfect or the Present Perfect Continuous. Translate the sentences into Ukrainian.

1. Ralph is getting frustrated because the meal he ordered hasn’t been served yet. He (to wait) for his meal. 2. The estate agent is taking down ‘For Sale’ sign in front of the house. He (to sell) the house. 3. Jerry is traveling to Moscow on Tuesday. He (to book) a plane ticket. 4. Samanta is reading a letter fro, Maureen. She (just/to receive) it from her. 5. John started fixing the washing machine this morning. He (to repair) it since 9am. 6. Rachel is getting out of bed. She (just/to wake up). 7. Lisa started working for us in 1992. She (to work) for us since 1992. 8. Elaine is still waiting for the bus. It (not to come) yet. 9. Since they were very young, the children (to enjoy) traveling by plane. 10. It (to snow) heavily since this morning. 11. I’m pleased to say that the team (to play) well all season. 12. I never (to understand) why we have to pay so much tax. 13. I (not to read) any of Dickens’ novels. 14. In recent years, Brazilian companies (to put) a lot of money into developing advanced technology. 15. Since they were very young, the children (to enjoy) traveling by plane. 16. It (to snow) heavily since this morning. 17. I’m pleased to say that the team (to play) well all season. 18. I never (to understand) why we have to pay so much tax. 19. I (not to read) any of Dickens’ novels. 20. In recent years, Brazilian companies (to put) a lot of money into developing advanced technology. 21. That man (to stand) over there for hours. 22. The castle (to stand) on that hill for 900 years. 23. Ann (to garden) all afternoon. She (to plant) a lot of rose bushes. 24. James (to go) out every night this week. 25. He (to see) a lot of Alexander recently. 26. How long you (to wait)? 27. I (to wait) long enough. I’m going. 28. Her family (to farm) this land since the tenth century. 29. She only (to farm) for two years, but she is doing very well. 30. I (to learn) German for six years. 31. I (to learn) most of the irregular verbs. 32. My mother (to do) all her Christmas shopping. 33. I (to do) Christmas shopping all day. 34. I (to clean) the car. Doesn’t it look nice? 35. You look tired. I (to wash) clothes all day.

Ex. 46

Complete the sentences with these verbs, using the same one for each sentence in the pair. Use the Present Perfect in one sentence and the Present Perfect Continuous in the other.

claim disappear give move stop

1. a An important file ………… from my office.

b Plants and vegetables ………… from my garden since we had new neighbours.

2. a Dr. Fletcher ………… the same lecture to students for the last ten years.

b Mr. Goldman ………… nearly a million pounds to the charity this year.

3. a With their win yesterday, Italy ………… into second place in the table.

b As house prices in the cities have risen, people ………… into the countryside.

4. a For years he ………… that he is related to the royal family.

b The earthquake ………… over 5000 lives.

5. a All day, the police ………… motorists to question them about the accident.

b Good, the noise ………… . I can start concentrating on my work again.

Ex. 47

Choose the most appropriate sentence ending.

1. I’ve swum … 2. I’ve been swimming …	a and I feel exhausted. b thirty lengths of the pool.
They have asked me … They have been asking me…	a to visit them for ages, but I’ve never had the time. b to join the company on a number of occasions.
I have visited Vienna … I’ve been visiting Vienna …	a three or four times before/ b since 1990 and I’ve always felt very safe here.
We’ve stayed … 8. We’ve been staying …	a at this hotel a couple of times before. b at a small hotel near the sea.

Ex. 48

Put the verbs in brackets into the Present Perfect, the Present Perfect Continuous or the Past Indefinite.

Dear Robbie,

I’m sorry I (not to write) to you but I (to be) busy.

As you know, I (to wait) anxiously since June to hear from the universities that I (to apply) to. Well, Southborough University, the university that I (always/to want) to attend, (to accept) my application! Isn’t that great? Although I (to think) about living on campus, I (to decide) not to. I (to look through) the ads for a flat and my mother and I are going to Southborough tomorrow. We (to make) appointments to see three falts. I am excited but also a little nervous as I (never/to live) on my own before.

What you (to do) lately? I hope all is well.

Take care,

Steven

Ex. 48

Tim Bryant, a magazine journalist, is interviewing Margaret Rodwell, the founder of a successful company. Open the brackets using the Present Perfect Progressive or the Present Perfect:

I.

- So why do you think your company (be) so successful?

- Well, our products (fill) a large gap in the market and I think one of the most important things is that we always (listen) to our clients and we (act) on their comments and suggestions.

- And what’s the typical day for you?

- Well, take today for example. I (interview) candidates for a marketing executive post.

- And how many you (interview)?

- Er, I (interview) four so far. And I (talk) to clients on the phone on and off all day. I seem to spend a lot of time on the phone. I (discuss) some ideas with them for the transportation and delivery of our products.

- Mm, it sounds look a very busy day.

- Oh, that’s only part of it. I (have) two meetings, one with Union representatives and one with departmental heads. And I also (work) on a proposal for a new marketing strategy.

- And it’s not two o’clock yet.

- No, but of course I (be) here since seven o’clock this morning.

- Gosh. And, I hope you don’t mind my mentioning this Ms Rodwell, but some rumours (circulate) about your possible engagement to Mr Grimaldi, the banker.

- No, there will be no engagement, though it’s true that Mr Grimaldi and I (see) each other. That’s no secret.

- When you get the time, I suppose. And it is also true that you (learn) Russian with a view to introducing your products there?

- Yes, I have, but I not (learn) much yet; there’s still a long way for me to go.

II.

- You look hot. What you (do)?

- I (run).

- Running! In this heat? How far you (run)?

- About two miles.

- What’s the problem? You look a bit preoccupied.

- Yes, I (think) about Helen.

- Why? Is there something wrong with her?

- Well, she (act) so strangely lately.

- In what way?

- Well, some days when she arrives at home, I know that she (cry). And she (make) private calls when she we’re all out at lunch. I just that something’s going on.

- You (talk) to her about it yet?

- Yes, a few times, and each time she (say) that there’s nothing wrong, but I’m not so sure.

- Where you (be), Simon?

- I (talk) to Mark on the phone. He says he (try) to phone us all day.

- Well I (be) in most of the day but I not (hear) the phone.

- That’s strange. But anyway, he (have) a phone call from Jackie’s mother and she told that Jackie (be) in some kind of accident. It’s nothing very serious but she’s got to stay in hospital overnight.

- Oh dear, she (break) any bones?

- I’m not quite sure how badly she (be hurt) but I think we would go and see her tonight.

Ex.

Use the right form of the verbs in brackets.

1. Good gracious, Kit, whatever you (do)? You seem to have all the paint on yourself that there is in the world. 2.I (think) about you all day, Emma. 3. What you (do) since we last (meet)? 4. — You look hot. — Yes, I (play) tennis. 5.I (work) in a bookshop now. I (work) here for about six weeks. 6.1 (do) so for thirty years and I'm not going to change my ways. 7. She (have) toothache since she (get) up this morning. 8. How long you (know) Susan? 9. We (write) invitation cards all morning. We (write) eleven already. And we still not (finish) then, all. 10. Mary (go out) with Steve for a year now, щ they (plan) to get married soon. 11.I (keep) a watch o» the road for the last few days, trying to catch a glimps. of you as you passed. 12. And now, gentlemen, I want to know what (go on) here and how long it (go on). 13. jje (chase) this girl for half a year but she wouldn't even look at him. 14. They (think) a lot about this situation these past few days, since they (be) home. 15. There's something I (want) to ask you for the last couple of hours.

Ex

Open the brackets using the Present Perfect Progressive or the Present Perfect:

1. The Town Council (consider) my application for permission to build a garage for three months. They just (give) my neighbour permission to build one, so I hope they (decide) to let me have one too. 2) You look exhausted! ~ Yes, I (play) tennis and I (not play) for years, so I'm not used to it. 3) They began widening this road three weeks ago; but the workmen (be) on strike for the last fortnight so they (not get) very far with it. 4) That man (stand) at the bus stop for the last half hour. Shall I tell him that the last bus already (go)? 5) I wonder if anything (happen) to Tom. I (wait) an hour now. He often (keep) me waiting but he never (be) quite so late as this. 6) Mrs Brown (live) next door for quite a long time now but she never (say) more than 'Good morning' to me. 7) I just (remember) that I (not pay) the rent yet. I am surprised that the landlord (not ring) me up to remind me. ~ It is the first time you (be) late with the rent in 25 years. He probably thinks that you (pay) and he (lose) the cheque. 8) Shop assistant: Could you give me some proof of your identity, madam? Customer: But I (shop) here for fifteen years! Shop assistant: I know, madam, but apparently the company (lose) a lot of money lately through dud cheques and they (make) new regulations which we (be told) to apply to all customers no matter how long we (know) them. 9) What you (do)? I (look) for you for ages. - I (build) a barbecue in the garden.

Ex. 50

Translate into English using the Present Perfect or the Present Perfect Continuous.

1. Я знаю вашу подругу з дитинства. 2. Я працюю над статтею уже три місяці. 3. Я чекаю вас уже цілу годину. Де ви були весь цей час? 4. Як багато ви написали! Очевидно, ви сьогодні працювали весь день. 5. Подивіться, що ви зробили: ви зруйнували мій малюнок, а я так довго над ним працювала! 6. Ось і ми! А ми уже цілу годину говоримо про вас. Але я ще не розповіла Ганні про вашу пригоду на теплоході. 7. Я не бачила вас з тих пір, як ми були в театрі. Що ви робили весь цей час? 8. Я не була в бібліотеці уже цілий тиждень. Які нові книги ви отримали за цей час? 9. Будівлю нового театру будують два місяці, але його ще не збудували.

Ex. 51

Replace the infinitives in brackets by the Present Perfect, the Present Perfect Continuous or the Present Continuous.

1. This short-sighted man (to lose) his spectacles. We (to look) for them everywhere but we can’t find them. 2. You ever (to act) as interpreter? – Yes, that is what I (to do) for the last five months. 3. A skilful photographer (to help) me with the development of the films for two weeks, but we (to develop) only half my summer films. 4. They (to make) up their quarrel? – I don’t know. I only know that they (not to be) on speaking terms since September. 5. I (to try) to get into contact with them for a long time, but now I (to give) it up as hopeless. 6. Our pilot (to ask) for permission to take off for ten minutes already, but he (to get) no answer yet. 7. The workers (to work) very hard these two weeks, they (to be busy) with the interior decoration of the house. 8. I (to call) at the box-office of the Maly Theatre several times in the course of the last weeks, but I (not to have) your luck and I (not to get) any tickets. 9. Now that the picture (to appear) everybody can see what thorough work the producer and the camera-man (to do). 10. You (to be) of great help to us since you (to be) with us.

Ex.

Answer the questions.

1. Have you made any change in your life recently? What have you been doing since that change took place?

2. Choose a person that you know whose life-style has changed. What change took place in this person's life? What was his or her life like before? What has he or she been doing since the change took place?

3. Do you have a particular hobby? Have you ever had one? How long have you been interested in this? How did you become interested in it? Why do you enjoy it' Why are hobbies important to people? What are sQJHe typical hobbies that people in this country enjoy?