A. It has been
raining. Study this example situation:
Is it raining? No, but the ground is wet.
It has been raining.
Have/has been ~ing is the present perfect
continuous:
I/we/they/you have (= I've etc.) been
doing/waiting/playing etc.
he/she/it has (= he's etc.) been
doing/waiting/playing etc.
We use the present perfect continuous for an
activity that has recently
stopped or just stopped. There is a connection with
now:
* You're out of breath. Have you been
running? (you're out of breath now)
* Paul is very tired. He's been working very
hard. (he's tired now)
* Why are your clothes so dirty? What have
you been doing?
* I've been talking to Carol about the
problem and she thinks that ...
B. It has been raining for two hours. Study
this example situation:
It is raining now. It began raining two hours
ago and it is still raining.
How long has it been raining?
It has been raining for two hours.
We often 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)
* Tim is still watching television. He's been
watching television all day.
* Where have you been? I've been looking for
you for the last half hour.
* George hasn't been feeling well recently.
You can use the present perfect continuous
for actions repeated over a
period of time:
Debbie 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 (see Unit 1) and I
have been doing:
I am doing (present continuous) -> now
* Don't disturb me now. I'm working.
* We need an umbrella. It's raining.
* Hurry up! We're waiting.
I have been doing (present perfect
continuous)
* I've been working hard, so now I'm going to
have a rest.
* The ground is wet. It's been raining.
* We've been waiting for an hour.
EXERCISES
9.1 What have these people been doing or what
has been happening?
1. They have been shopping.
2. She ---
3. They ---
4. He ---
9.2 Write a question for each situation.
1. John looks sunburnt. You ask: (you/sit in
the sun?) Have you been sitting in the
sun?
2. You have just arrived to meet a friend who
is waiting for you. You ask:
(you/wait/long?)
3. You meet a friend in the street. His face
and hands are very dirty. You ask:
(what/you/do?)
4. A friend of yours is now living in Baker Street. You
want to know 'How long ...?'
You ask:
(how long/you/live/in Baker Street?)
5. A friend tells you about his job--he sells
computers. You want to know 'How
long ...?' You ask:
(how long/you/sell/computers?)
9.3 Read the situations and complete the
sentences.
1. The rain started two hours ago. It's still
raining now. It has been raining for two
hours.
2. We started waiting for the bus 20 minutes
ago. We're still waiting now.
We --- for 20 minutes.
3. I started Spanish classes in December. I'm
still learning Spanish now.
I --- since December.
4. Ann began looking for a job six months
ago. She's still looking now.
--- for six months.
5. Mary started working in London on 18 January. She's still working
there now.
--- since 18 January.
6. Years ago you started writing to a
pen-friend. You still write to each other
regularly now.
We --- for years.
9.4 Put the verb into the present continuous
(I am ~ing etc.) or present perfect continuous (I have been ~ing etc.).
1. Maria has been learning (learn) English
for two years.
2. Hello, Tom. I --- (look) for you all
morning. Where have you been?
3. Why --- (you/took) at me like that? Stop
it!
4. We always go to Ireland for our holidays. We ---
(go) there for years.
5. I --- (think) about what you said and I've
decided to take your advice.
6. 'Is Ann on holiday this week?' 'No, she
---e (work).'
7. Sarah is very tired. She --- (work) very
hard recently.
