Scribbles from our class...
Nuno has been doing his homework since ten o’ clock / for six hours.
Mark started teaching English in 1984.
It’s now 2009.
Mark has been teaching English since 1984 / for 25 years.
Barbara started ballet lessons five years ago.
Barbara has been doing ballet since 2004 / since five years ago / for five years.
Present Perfect Continuous
--------- has / have been -------ing for ---------
--------- has/have been --------ing since ------------
Inês has been doing karate for four years.
Jennifer Pike has been playing violin since she was five.
To emphasise continuity over a period of time up to now.
Mark has been working all day.
Maria has been studying all day.
Afonso has been making popping noises all class.
To talk about an action that has just stopped and has a result or effect now, in the present.
Mum: Catarina! You’re all wet!
Catarina: Yes, I know. It’s been raining!
Nuno: I’m soooo tired!
Dad: Why?
Nuno: I’ve been skateboarding all night!
Maria (in fnac): Oh, great! Look! Coldplay’s new album! I’ve been waiting for it all year!
