I’ve Been Doing…
I can describe an activity continuing to now or explaining a visible present result.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Choose a short recording.
Start with the contrast
Omar started practising an hour ago and is still practising. “I’ve been practising for an hour,” he says. Later he stops and adds, “My hands are tired because I’ve been practising.” The activity can continue or have just stopped.
Read the situation transcript
Omar started practising an hour ago and is still practising. “I’ve been practising for an hour,” he says. Later he stops and adds, “My hands are tired because I’ve been practising.” The activity can continue or have just stopped.
Does have been practising always mean the activity is still happening at this exact second?
Compare your idea
No. It can also explain a present result after the activity has recently stopped.
How it works
Use have/has been plus an -ing form to focus on activity over a period up to now. Add for or since when the length or starting point matters.
The activity may still be continuing, or it may have stopped recently with a result now. The form alone does not guarantee completion or non-completion of a particular task.
Subject + have/has + been + verb-ing.
Reference situation
I’ve been practising for an hour.
The activity extends over a period up to now.
Contrasting viewpoint
She’s been waiting since ten.
This identifies the beginning of the wait.
Hear the examples
I’ve been practising for an hour.
The activity extends over a period up to now.
She’s been waiting since ten.
This identifies the beginning of the wait.
We’ve been painting; our clothes are dirty.
The recent activity explains a present result.
Have you been studying?
This asks about recent or ongoing activity.
One mistake worth avoiding
Instead of: I have been study all morning.
Say: I have been studying all morning.
Use an -ing form after have been.
You say
Hear the prompt, answer aloud, then deliberately reveal or hear one possible model. Check it and retry with a changed detail.
Your turn 1
Describe an activity you have been doing recently.
Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text
I’ve been reading more recently.
Check yourself: Focus on the activity over a period.
Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.
Your turn 2
Add a duration to an ongoing activity.
Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text
I’ve been studying for an hour.
Check yourself: Use for plus a duration.
Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.
Your turn 3
Explain an imagined present result.
Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text
My shoes are muddy because I’ve been gardening.
Check yourself: The result does not prove whether the activity is still continuing.
Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.
Two guided self-checks
Say or write your answer before opening a model.
Self-check 1
Complete: She ___ been waiting. Use has or have.
Compare a model and explanation
She has been waiting.
She takes has.
Self-check 2
Make a question: You have been cooking.
Compare a model and explanation
Have you been cooking?
Move have before you.
Check your understanding
Choose one answer to each question, then check your answers. One of the ten questions is listening.
Automatic scoring needs JavaScript. Use the answer key after attempting all ten questions.
Answer key with explanations
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I have been ___ all morning.
working: Use the -ing form after have been.
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She ___ been waiting since nine.
has: She takes has in the perfect form.
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We’ve ___ cleaning the kitchen.
been: The continuous perfect requires been before cleaning.
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Does this form always mean the activity is happening at the exact moment of speaking?
No: It can describe a recent activity with a present result.
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Choose the correct question.
Have you been studying?: Put have before you and retain been studying.
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Correct “He has been wait.”
He has been waiting.: Use has been plus waiting.
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“My eyes are tired; I’ve been reading.” What is the link?
The recent activity explains a present result.: The focus is the recent reading and its current effect.
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What activity explains the dirty clothes?
Painting: The recording links the clothes to recent painting.
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Complete: They’ve been practising ___ two hours.
for: Two hours is a duration and takes for.
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What does this form foreground?
Activity over a period up to now: Have been doing highlights the ongoing or recent process.
Take it with you
I can describe an activity continuing to now or explaining a visible present result.