PRESENT PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

STATEMENTS
Subject
I
We
You
They

Have (not)

Been

(since / for)

writing

since 2004
for years

have (not)
been

He
She
It

Base form
Of verb + -ing

has (not)

YES / NO QUESTIONS
Have

Subject

Been

Base form
Of verb + -ing

Have

you

been

writing

Has

he

(since / for)

since 2004?
for years?

SHORT ANSWERS
Affirmative
Yes,

I / we

Negative
have

I / we

havent

he

hasnt

No,
he

has

PRESENT PERFECT
PROGRESSIVE
Elephants have been living on the
earth for many years
I have been reading this book
since Monday
Garcia Marquez has been writing
books since he was young
Shes been working in this
company for a year

PRESENT PERFECT
They have lived in Africa for many
years
I have read two books about
elephants
Garcia Marquez has written many
books
Shes worked in many companies

GRAMMAR NOTES

EXAMPLES

1.
The present perfect - Ive been reading a book
progressive often shows that about elephants.
something is unfinished.
It
(Im still reading it)
started in the past and is still
continuing. The emphasis in on - Shes been writing an article.
the continuation of the action.
(Shes still writing it)

The present perfect often - Ive written an article about

shows
that
something
is elephants.
finished. The main emphasis is (I finished the article)
on the result of the action.
- Shes read a book about
elephants.
(she has finished the book)

2. We often use the present Ive been reading books

perfect progressive to talk about ufos for two months.
about how long something has
been happening.
- Shes been writing an article.
(Shes still writing it)
We often used the present
perfect to talk about:
- how much someone has done

- Ive read a lot about ufos.

- how many things someone has - Shes written three articles.

done
- how many times someone has - Ive read that book twice.
done something

3. Sometimes you can use the

present perfect progressive or
the present perfect . The
meaning is basically the same.
This is especially true with verbs
such as live, study, teach, and
work with for or since.

- Shes been studying African

elephants for three years.
Shes studied African
elephants for three years.

Usage notes
- Theyve been living here
We often use the present since 1995 but they are moving
perfect progressive to show next month.
that something is temporary.
- Theyve lived here since they
We use the present perfect to were children. Theyve always
show
that
something
is lived here.
permanent.