General English Level 4 V 3
UNIT 01 The media TOPIC 03 Get the gossip
LANGUAGE FOCUS 03 The present perfect continuous tense
In this activity you will learn about the present perfect continuous tense.
In the interview Judy Pearson says:
He 's been teaching English to Chilean students too.

She uses the present perfect continuous tense .
We use this tense for two reasons:

1. To talk about an action that started in the past but that may or may not be finished

Judy Pearson:
He' s been keeping himself busy.

2. To show how long an action has been in progress

Judy Pearson:
He 's been working as a volunteer on a camp in Chile for a year.

I
You
We
They 		have
've
have not
haven't
been
eat ing.
He
She
It 		has
's
has not
hasn't

Have
Haven't 		I
you
we
they
been
eat ing?
Has
Hasn't 		he
she
it

Examples

How long have you been studying English?
I' ve been studying English for about five years.

How many years has she been working there?
She 's been working there about 2 years.

Why are you so hot?
I 've been running.

I'm sorry I'm late.
That's OK. We haven't been waiting long.

Why have you been crying ?
I 've just been watching a really sad movie.

Now go to 04 WRITING How long have you...?