Present perfect vs.

present
perfect continuous

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Positive

I’ve had my drums since I was seven.

I’ve been playing the drums since I was seven.

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Negative
They haven’t been listening for the whole lesson.
They haven’t learned anything.

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Questions and answers

How long has Pete been playing his trumpet?

For two hours.
Have you asked him to stop?
Yes, I have, but he can’t hear me!

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Present perfect simple vs. continuous
Tom’s been waiting for an hour. It’s 7 o’clock, but Suzy hasn’t
arrived yet.

1 hour (Tom’s waiting)

Suzy isn’t here

7 o’clock

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GET IT RIGHT!
I was practicing the piano all morning.

I’ve been writing twelve emails this morning.

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GET IT RIGHT!
I was practicing the piano all morning.
I’ve been practicing the piano all morning.

I’ve been writing twelve emails this morning.

I’ve written twelve emails this morning.

I’ve been playing the piano since I was five. I’ve taken three exams.

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Language in action
Tia: _____ two tickets in a competition to see Scooter in concert.
Sam: Really? Do you often enter competitions?
Tia: No, I don’t, and I _____ _____ _____ anything before! I _____ _____
_____ to get tickets to see them for ages, too.
Sam: _____ you _____ someone to go with you, yet?
Tia: Well, I _____ _____ _____ about that. You see, it’s in New York and
my older brother lives there. He really wants to go …
Sam: Oh, OK …
Tia: … But actually, I don’t really want to go with him, so I _____ _____ to
ask you!
Sam: Oh, Tia! Thank you! I _____ _____ _____ to see them for ages, too!

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Language in action
Tia: I’ve won two tickets in a competition to see Scooter in concert.
Sam: Really? Do you often enter competitions?
Tia: No, I don’t, and I’ve never won anything before! I’ve been trying
to get tickets to see them for ages, too.
Sam: Have you asked someone to go with you, yet?
Tia: Well, I’ve been thinking about that. You see, it’s in New York and my
older brother lives there. He really wants to go …
Sam: Oh, OK …
Tia: … But actually, I don’t really want to go with him, so I’ve decided to
ask you!
Sam: Oh, Tia! Thank you! I’ve been waiting to see them for ages, too!

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Can you remember the rules?
• When we don’t refer to a specific point in time, we often
use the present perfect.
I’ve been to the library.
• When we talk about an activity that started in the past
and is still continuing now, we use the present perfect continuous.

I’ve been reading since breakfast.

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Speaking
Make a dialogue. Choose a role and perform it to the class.

Rock journalist Rock star

how long / be in band? be in band / four years
write / many songs? write / lots of songs
how long / play the guitar? play guitar / seven years old
visit / many countries? visit / many countries
how long / know people in band know people in band / since school
be / touring? be / touring / three months
what / do today? today / practice with the band

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Speaking
A: Choose a situation and think about what you’ve been doing.
B: Ask questions to find out what has happened.

I’m crying.

My bedroom is a mess.

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