Learn how to use the Present Perfect Continuous Tense in English. Read on for detailed descriptions and examples from the popular novels that help make grammar rules clear.
Grammar Explanations:
Present Perfect Continuous expresses:- an action which began before the moment of speaking and continues into it or up to it (see dialogues 1, 2, 3);
- an action which was in progress quite recently and its effect tells on the present situation in some way. The Present Continuous tense in this case is, as a rule, not associated with any indications of time (see dialogues 4, 5).
Drouet runs into Carrie in the street. He takes her to the old Windsor dining-room, a comfortable place. Carrie has been out of a job for some time. In the morning she borrowed ten cents for breakfast.
Drouet: So you lost your place because you got sick, eh? What are you going to do now?
Carrie: Look around.
Drouet: Oh, no, that won’t do. How long have you been looking?
Carrie: Four days. Drouet: Think of that!
(Th. Dreiser. Sister Carrie)
Dialogue 2
The night is cold and foggy. It’s about eleven o’clock. At the corner of Grosvenor Square and South Audley Street Basil Hallword sees a man passing him in the mist. He recognizes Dorian Gray.
Basil: Dorian! What an extraordinary piece of luck! I have been waiting for you in your library ever since nine o’clock. Finally I took pity on your tired servant, and told him to go to bed, as he let me out. I’m off to Paris by the midnight train, and I particularly wanted to see you before I left. I thought it was you, or rather your fur coat, as you passed me. But I wasn’t quite sure. Didn’t you recognize me?
Dorian Gray: In this fog, me dear Basil? Why, I can’t even recognize Grosvenor Square. … I am sorry you are going away …
(O. Wilde. The Picture of Dorian Gray)
Nicole, a young gifted girl, is staying at a private clinic in Switzerland. Dick Diver, a promising young doctor, who sympathizes with Nicole talks to the girl about her pastime.
Nicole: At least this institution has been good for languages. I’ve spoken French with two doctors, and German with the nurses, and Italian, or something like it, with a couple of scrub-women and one of the patients, and I’ve picked up a lot of Spanish from another.
Dick Diver: That’s fine.
Nicole: Music too. Hope you didn’t think I was only interested in ragtime. I practice every day – the last few months I’ve been taking a course in Zurich on the history of music. In fact it was all that kept me going at times – music and the drawing.
(F. S. Fitzgerald. Tender is the Night)
Dialogue 4
Senator Brander: Good morning. How do you do today? I thought I’d come out and find where you live. This is a quite comfortable house. How many rooms have you?
Jennie: Five. You’ll have to excuse the looks this morning. We’ve been ironing, and it’s all upset.
Senator Brander: I know. Don’t you think I understand, Jennie? You mustn’t feel nervous about me. You mustn’t think it anything if I come here occasionally. I intend to come. I want to meet your father.
Jennie: Oh, he is out today.
(Th. Dreiser. Jennie Gerhardt)
Dialogue 5
Jennie comes home. As she opens the door she observes her mother’s face. Mrs Gerhardt looks at her, and then turns half away.
Jennie: What’s the matter, ma? What have you been crying about?
Bass: Pa’s had his hands burned. He’ll be home tomorrow.
Jennie: His hands burned!
Bass: Yes. Jennie: How did it happen?
Bass: A pot of glass was turned over.
(Th. Dreiser. Jennie Gerhardt)
Dialogue 6
Wilfrid Desert hasn’t been home for a long time. So he is eager to hear the news.
Wilfrid Desert: How is Michael? You’re a cousin of his, if I remember.
Dinny: Michael’s all right. Still in the House. …
Desert: And Fleur?
Dinny: Flourishing. Did you know she had a daughter last year?
Desert: Fleur? H’m! That makes two, doesn’t it?
Dinny: Yes, they call this one Catherine.
Dessert: I haven’t been home since 1927. Gosh! It’s a long time …
(J. Galsworthy. End of the Chapter)
(C. P. Snow. The Search)