4. For an action that started in the past
and continues up to the point of
speaking:
We have been waiting here for you
since noon!
It has been raining the whole morning!
5. To refer to a series of repeated actions
that began in the past and continues
to the present:
Jane has been complaining of a
migraine headache for the past two
weeks.
6. On events that have happened
recently:
Tim has been feeling a little down
lately.
What have you been doing?
7. When used with signal words such as
for, since, recently and lately:
I have been looking for him for over 2
years.
I haven’t been feeling well lately.
Jill has been preparing for the feast
since morning.
8. Are both sentences the same?
Miss Tan has been marking assignments
since 2 p.m.
Miss Tan has marked 20 assignments
since 2 p.m.
Present Perfect Continuous -
Act of marking is not over
Present Perfect –
Act of marking is over
9. - With non- action verbs (e.g. know, be, etc.)
use the present perfect simple NOT the
present perfect continuous with for and
since.
I’ve known her for ages. NOT I’ ve been
knowing her for ages.
- With live and work you can use the present
perfect simple or continuous with for and
since.
I’ve been living here for six months.
I’ve lived here for six months.
10. Are both sentences the same?
Jenny has been living here since she
was a young girl.
Jenny has lived here since she was a
young girl.
Is she still living here? Yes, still.
Is she still living here? Yes, up to the point of
speaking at least.
11. Select the sentences that are expressed correctly.
1A)I was waiting at the taxi stand since noon but no taxi
has come by so far.
1B) I have been waiting at the taxi stand since noon but
no taxi has come by so far.
2A) Jill has been working at two jobs since her husband
lost his job.
2B) Jill worked at two jobs since her husband lost
his job.
12. Select the sentences that are expressed correctly.
1A)I was waiting at the taxi stand since noon but no taxi
has come by so far.
1B) I have been waiting at the taxi stand since noon but
no taxi has come by so far.
2A) Jill has been working at two jobs since her husband
lost his job.
2B) Jill worked at two jobs since her husband lost
his job.