non-progressive verbs
Some verbs are not used in progressive forms (see progressive 2: non-progressive verbs), even if the meaning is one for which a progressive form is
more suitable. Common examples are be, have and know.
John’s been ill all week, (NOT John’s been being ill…)
She’s had a cold since Monday, (NOT She’s been having a cold …)
I’ve only known her for two days, (NOT Tve-enly been knowing her-…)
temporary or permanent
We use progressive forms mostly for shorter, temporary actions and situations. When we talk about longer-lasting or permanent situations we often
prefer the simple present perfect. Compare:
That man has been standing on the corner all day.
For 900 years the castle has stood on the hill above the village.
I haven’t been working very well recently.
He hasn’t worked for years.
I’ve been living in Sue’s flat for the last month.
My parents have lived in Bristol all their lives.
Progressive and simple tenses are sometimes both possible, with a slight difference of emphasis.
It’s been raining / It’s rained steadily since last Saturday.
Hany has been working t has worked in the same job for thirty years.
We generally use the progressive to talk about continuous change or development, even if this is permanent.
Scientists believe that the universe has been expanding steadily since the beginning of time.
how much? how often?
simple present perfect
We use the simple present perfect to say how much we have done, or how often we have done something. Compare:
I’ve been planting rose bushes all afternoon.
Look at all the rose bushes I’ve planted! (NOT … I’ve been planting.)
We’ve been painting the house.
We’ve painted two rooms since lunchtime, (NOT We’ve been-^painting two rooms since-lunchtime.)
I’ve been playing a lot of tennis recently.
I’ve played tennis three times this week.
For more information consult a good dictionary like Langman, Oxford, Merriam Webster, or Collins.
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