We are working with Cambridge Assessment International Education towards endorsement of this title.
Use of English
Present perfect continuous
Use of English
We use the present perfect continuous to talk about events or situations
which started in the past and are continuing up to now.
You look really hot and tired. What have you been doing?
I’ve been playing tennis and I’m really thirsty now.
Alana isn’t hungry because she’s been eating chocolate all day.
E
Who’s been using my laptop? I haven’t but I think Nahid has.
According to the dentist I haven’t been cleaning my teeth properly.
Check!
Complete the rules.
a
b
c
Focus
1
PL
The short form of I have been -ing is ……………………. been -ing.
The short form of she has been -ing is ……………………. been -ing.
The short form of Who has been -ing is ……………………. been -ing.
Complete with the present perfect continuous of the correct verb from the box.
M
try read act not feel work not do
a has been reading my private stuff ?
Why is my diary open? Who …………………….
b What’s the matter? Why ……………………. you ……………………. so
SA
strangely recently?
c Dave looks tired. He ……………………. very Low res
hard recently.
d Rudi ……………………. well. He’s seeing the
doctor tomorrow.
e We ……………………. much homework this
term. We’re revising for our exams.
f I ……………………. to read this book but it’s
very boring and I keep falling asleep.
125
Original material © Cambridge University Press 2021. This material is not final and is subject to further changes prior to publication.
ISBN_9781108963718.
We are working with Cambridge Assessment International Education towards endorsement of this title.
8 Storytelling
Practice
2 Complete the sentences using the present perfect continuous form of the verb
in brackets.
a Recently, Louise ……………………. (write) a blog about local wildlife.
b Last year I went for a run every day, but I ……………………. (not / run)
much recently.
c Jacob’s a really good skier and this winter, he …………………….
(also / learn) to snowboard.
E
d ……………………. (the cat / sit) on my bed again? It’s covered in fur!
e I ……………………. (chat) to Olivia about our plan and she thinks it’s a
good idea.
Challenge
3
correct verb form.
a
b
PL
Present perfect or present perfect continuous? Complete the sentences with the
Have you been sitting
Why are you so late? ……………….………….………
(you / sit)
in a traffic jam?
Look! Somebody ……………….………….……… (drop) their wallet.
M
c You look hot and tired. ……………….………….……… (you / play)
tennis in this heat?
d ‘Maria’s not here at the moment.’ ‘Where ……………….………….………
(she / go)?’
e I ……………….………….……… (read) your spy book but I
SA
……………….………….……… (not finish) it yet.
f I ……………….………….……… (make) a cake. Would you like a piece?
g I’v……………….………….……… (look for) my phone all day and I still
……………….………….……… (not find) it.
h She’s a brilliant singer. She …………….………….……… (sing) in all our
school concerts.
4 Write three sentences in your notebook about what you’ve been learning recently
in your science, geography and history lessons.
In science, we’ve been learning about … .
126
Original material © Cambridge University Press 2021. This material is not final and is subject to further changes prior to publication.
ISBN_9781108963718.
