PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

USES

1 We use the present perfect continuous for an action over a period of time leading up to the
present.
e.g.: We’ve been waiting here for twenty minutes. (We’re waiting now)

2 We can use the present perfect continuous to talk about repeated actions up to now.

e.g.: Natasha has been playing the ñiano since she was four.

3 We can also use the present perfect continuous to talk about an action which ends just
before the present.
e.g.: I’ve been swimming. That’s why my hair is wet.

FORM

AFFIRMATIVE
Subject + have/has + been + v-ing + complements.
e.g.: I’ve been repairing the car.

NEGATIVE
Subject + haven’t/hasn’t + been + v-ing + complements.
e.g.: I haven’t been repairing my car.

INTERROGATIVE
(Question Word) + have/has + subject + been + v-ing + complements?
e.g.: Where have you been living?

ADVERBS

For: My sister has been staying with me for three weeks now.
Since: You’ve been playing on that computer since seven o’clock.
How long?: How long have you been waiting?
 PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE

USES

Actions which begin in the past and, because of different conditions, continue up to the
present moment:
-New or recent happenings: “I’ve repaired the TV. It’s working OK now”
-Result: “Scientists have managed to control cancer cells with the use of the
new drug”.

past now

FORMS

AFFIRMATIVE
REGULAR V. : -ed
SUBJECT + HAVE/HAS + V.PAST PARTICIP. + COM

IRREG. V. : 3RD COLUMN

e.g.: Susan has lived in Barcelona since she was five years old.

NEGATIVE

SUBJECT + HAVEN’T/HASN’T + V. PAST PARTIC. + COMPL.

e.g.: Susan hasn’t lived in Barcelona since she was five years old.

INTERROGATIVE

(QUESTION WORD) + HAVE/HAS + SUBJECT + V. PAST PARTIC. +COMP.?

e.g.: Where has Susan lived since she was five years old?

ADVERBS

-ALREADY: something happened sooner than expected(=ya)

e.g.: “Don’t forget to send the letter.” “I’ve already sent it.”

-JUST: a short time ago(=acabar de)

e.g.: “Are you hungry?” “No, I’ve just had lunch”.
-YET: until now. The speaker is expecting something to happen. Use yet only in questions
and negative sentences.(=aún, todavía).
e.g.: Has it stopped raining yet?

-FOR:

-SINCE: