How do we call this tense ?

1. Tom says:I’ve beentryingto open myrestaurantforages….Whendidhe start trying?Ishestilltrying?

2. Mike says:I’ve beentakingclassesforthreemonths…Whendidhe start takingclasses ?Ishestilltakingthem?

3. How do wecallthistense ?

4. Weuse the PresentPerfectContinuous :a) to express anactivitywhichstarted in the past and continuesto the presentI’ve beentryingto open myrestaurantforages….I’ve beentakingclassesforthreemonths……

5. Ruth says:I’ve beenplayingwithmythreechildrenthismorning and itis a complete messWhendidshe start playing ?Isshestillplaying?

6. Weuse the PresentPerfectContinuous :a) torefertoanactivitywith a result in the presentThere’s a complete messbecauseI’ve beenplayingwithmythreechildrenthismorning

7. Simple or Continuous?Sometimesthereislittle or no differencebetween the PresentPerfectSimple and Continuous.How long haveyoutakenclasses?How long haveyoubeentakingclasses?

8. But…But…The PresentPerfectSimplelooks at the completedaction. So if the sentencegivesa number or a quantitythe Continuousisnotused. I’ve made up lotsofmyownrecipes. I’ve readthreerecipes.

9. And …Verbsthat express a state, forexample,like, love, know, haveforpossession, are notfound in the PresentPerfectContinuous Wehaveknowneachotherfor a fewweeks Butnotwe’ve beenknowingeachotherforfewweeks How long haveyouhadyourcar? ButnotHow long haveyoubeenhavingyourcar?

10. Action verbs Rules: We normally use the continuous tenses with action verbs such as : go, do, study, eat, drink, work, etc. Examples She’ going to uni now. ‘What are you doing?’ ‘I’m drinking a cup of tea’. He’s working hard in this period.

11. State verbs Rules: Wedo notnormallyuse the continuoustenseswith state verbswhich: a) express a state: be, have. Example: I’vehadthis car for.. b)express mentalactivities: I know, believe, forget,etc Example:I’veknowhim for years. c)express emotionalstates: I like, hate, desire, prefer, want, etc. Example:I’vealwayshatedviolence. d)express perception: see, hear, smell Example:Oh, I see.

12. Both of them : exceptions • Rules: Some verbs can describeaction or states, so in some • casesthey can be used in continuoustenses. • We are having a wonderfulholiday • (herehave=action/experience- can be used in the continuous) • Wehavea lovely room by the sea. • (herehave=possess – can’t be usedin the continuous )

13. More Rules: Some verbs, suchashate, like, love, in the continuoustensesdescribewhatwefeelat a specific moment. Are youenjoying the film?’ ‘No, I’mhatingit!’  or ‘Yes, I’mlovingit!’ 