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Present Perfect (4) :: For Double Letters in Words Like See

The document discusses the use of the present perfect progressive tense in English. It provides examples of how the tense is used to describe: 1) Actions and situations that started in the past and are still ongoing, such as "I've been working very hard recently." 2) Actions and situations that have just finished but still have present results, like "Yes, I’ve been running" in response to looking hot. 3) Repeated actions over time, as in "People have been phoning me all day." It also discusses the use of time expressions like "recently" with the tense.

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91 views

Present Perfect (4) :: For Double Letters in Words Like See

The document discusses the use of the present perfect progressive tense in English. It provides examples of how the tense is used to describe: 1) Actions and situations that started in the past and are still ongoing, such as "I've been working very hard recently." 2) Actions and situations that have just finished but still have present results, like "Yes, I’ve been running" in response to looking hot. 3) Repeated actions over time, as in "People have been phoning me all day." It also discusses the use of time expressions like "recently" with the tense.

Uploaded by

Dini
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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present perfect (4):

progressive (or 'continuous')


forms
have/has been + -ing I have been thinking about you.
Have you been waiting long?
I haven’t been studying very well recently.

For double letters in words like sitting, stopping, see spelling 7: doubling
final consonants.

continuing actions and situations


We use the present perfect progressive to look back over actions and situations which
started in the past and are still going on.
I’ve been working very hard recently.
It’s been raining all day. I'm tired of it.
House prices have been going up steadily all this year.
We often use the present perfect progressive to talk about people’s use of their time up
to the present.
Hi! What have you been doing with yourself?present perfect :I’ve been trying to write a
novel.
That kid has been watching TV non-stop since breakfast.
present perfect progressive: actions and situations which started in the past and are still
going on

actions and situations that have just stopped


We also use the present perfect progressive for actions and situations which have just
stopped, but which have present results.
You look hot. present perfect : Yes, I’ve been running.
Sorry I’m late. Have you been waiting long?
I must just go and wash. I’ve been gardening.

repeated actions
We can use the present perfect progressive .
People have been phoning me all day.
I’ve been waking up in the night a lot. I think I’ll see the doctor.

time expressions: recently, lately, this week, since ..for ..., etc
We often use the present perfect progressive with words that refer to a period of time
continuing up to now, like recently, lately, this week, since January, for the last three
days.
The firm has been losing money recently.
John’s been walking in Scotland all this week.
I've been doing a new job since January.
It’s been raining for the last three days.

For the difference between since and for, see for, since, in and from: time.

not used with finished time expressions


We cannot use the present perfect progressive with expressions that refer to a finished
period of time.
You look tired. present perfect : Yes. I was cycling from midday until five o’clock.
(NOT ... I’ve been cycling from midday until five o’clock.)

how long?
We use the present perfect progressive, not the present progressive, to talk about how
long something has been happening.
How long have you been studying English? (NOT How long are you studying-... ?)
I've been working here for two months, (NOT I’m working here for two months.)

For details, see present perfect 6: present perfect or present?.

I’ve been working very hard recently.


recently
to look back over
actions and
situations which
started in the past It’s been raining all day. I'm tired of it.
all / always
and are still going
(complaining)
on House prices have been going up steadily all this
(present result)
year.
actions and
situations that have - You look hot. - Yes, I’ve been running.
Present result +
just stopped, but Sorry I’m late. Have you been waiting long?
Reason (ing)
which have present I must just go and wash. I’ve been gardening.
results
for repeated as well Negative
as continuous implication People have been phoning me all day.
activity (concealed I’ve been waking up in the night a lot. I think I’ll
adverb: recently see the doctor.
/ lately)
refer to a period of The firm has been losing money recently.
time continuing up Adverb
to now, periods till now John’s been walking in Scotland all this week.
like recently, lately,
this week, since I've been doing a new job since January.
January, for the last
three days. It’s been raining for the last three days.

Not used to refer to You look tired. Yes. I was cycling from midday
a finished period of not used with until five o’clock.
time finished time (NOT ... I’ve been cycling from midday until five
expressions o’clock.)

How long How long have you been studying English? (NOT
how long How long are you studying-... ?)
something has
been happening. I've been working here for two months, (NOT I’m
working here for two months.)

present perfect progressive and (simple) present perfect


In some cases, we can also use the simple present perfect to talk about actions and
situations continuing up to the present. Compare:
How long have you been working with her?
How long have you known her?
That man has been standing on the corner all day.
For 900 years the castle has stood on the hill above the village.

For the differences, see present perfect 5: simple or progressive?.

present perfect (5): simple or progressive?

non-progressive verbs
Some verbs are not used in progressive forms (see progressive 2: non-progressive
verbs), even if the meaning is one for which a progressive form is more suitable.
Common examples are be, have and know.
John’s been ill all week, (NOT John’s been being ill...)
She’s had a cold since Monday, (NOT She’s been having a cold ...)
I’ve only known her for two days, (NOT I’ve only been knowing her-...)
temporary or permanent
We use progressive forms mostly for shorter, temporary actions and situations. When
we talk about longer-lasting or permanent situations we often prefer the simple present
perfect. Compare:
That man has been standing on the corner all day.
For 900 years the castle has stood on the hill above the village.
I haven’t been working very well recently.
He hasn’t worked for years.
I’ve been living in Sue's flat for the last month.
My parents have lived in Bristol all their lives.

Progressive and simple tenses are sometimes both possible, with a slight difference of
emphasis.
It’s been raining / It’s rained steadily since last Saturday.
Hany has been working / has worked in the same job for thirty years.

We generally use the progressive to talk about continuous change or development, even
if this is permanent.
Scientists believe that the universe has been expanding steadily since the beginning of
time.
how much? how often?
simple present perfect
We use the simple present perfect to say how much we have done, or how often we
have done something. Compare:
I’ve been planting rose bushes all afternoon.
Look at all the rose bushes I’ve planted! (NOT ... I’ve been planting.)
We’ve been painting the house.
We’ve painted two rooms since lunchtime, (NOT We’ve been-^painting two rooms
since-lunchtime.)
I’ve been playing a lot of tennis recently.
I’ve played tennis three times this week.

present perfect (6): present perfect or present?

how long? present perfect


We use a present perfect to say how long a situation or action has continued up to now.
Compare:
It’s raining again.
It’s been raining since Christmas, (NOT It’s raining since Christmas.)
Are you learning English?
How long have you been learning? (NOT How long are you learning?) >
I hear you’re working at Smiths. present perfect : present perfect or present? Yes, I've
been working there for a month.
(NOT I’m working there for-...)
I know her well.
I’ve known her for years, (NOT I know her for years.)
My brother’s a doctor.
How long has he been a doctor? (NOT How long is he a doctor?)
Compare also:
How long are you here for? (= until when; when are you leaving?)
How long have you been here for? (= since when; when did you arrive?)
For the difference between simple and progressive forms, see present perfect 5: simple
or progressive?.
For the difference between since and for, see for, since, in and from: time.
For tenses with since, see since: tenses.
This is the first time etc
We use a simple present perfect after this is the first time that... , it’s the second ...
that... , and similar structures (see This is the first/last ... etc).
This is the first time that I’ve heard her sing, (NOT This is the first time-that I hear? her
sing.)
It’s the fifth time you’ve asked me the same question.
This is only the second opera I’ve ever seen.
For present perfect and simple present passives with similar meanings (e.g. The shop
has been / is closed),

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