Grammar Talk 8 - Present Perfect Progressive Tense Page 1

1. 6.
A: Sorry I’m so late. How long have you been waiting? A: What are you doing? Why have you been running
B: That’s OK. I’ve only been waiting for ten minutes. from one room to another?
A: Have you been working at the Post Office long? B: I’m upset. I’ve been looking for my car keys. I can’t find
B: Yes, I have. I’ve been working here for ten years. them.
A: Your sister is a fine piano player. A: When is the last time you used the car?
B: Yes, she is. She’s been playing the piano since she B: I haven’t been driving for a while.
was eight years old. A: That’s probably why you can’t find the keys.
B: There they are. They’ve been sitting on that table all
2. this time. I just didn’t see them.
A: I just got home. How long has the phone been
ringing? 7.
B: It’s been ringing for five minutes. A: You look tired. What have you been doing?
A: How come you haven’t answered it yet? B: I’ve been writing letters since ten o’clock this morning.
B: I just got home myself. I’ve been shopping. A: Really? How many letters have you written?
A: Hello? Oh, hello, Tom. I’m sorry no one answered B: You won’t believe this, but I’ve already written fifteen
your call. We weren’t home. letters.
B: It’s Tom again? He’s been calling all morning. A: Fifteen letters? No wonder you’re tried.
B: Yes, and I’ve already drunk three cups of tea.
3.
A: How long have Mr. and Mrs. Jones been living in 8.
San Francisco? A: Maria looks exhausted. What has she been doing?
B: They’ve been living here for the last six years. B: She’s been baking cookies since nine o’clock this
A: How long have they been remodeling their kitchen? morning.
B: They’ve been remodeling it for the last six months. A: Really? How many cookies has she baked?
A: I hope they finish it soon. They need a kitchen. B: I don’t know. I haven’t been counting her cookies.
B: Yes, they do. They’ve been using mine for the last six A: Has she baked enough cookies for our big party?
weeks. B: I’m sure she’s already baked more than enough.

4. 9.
A: What is your car doing? It has problems. A: How long has Bob been taking photographs?
B: It’s been making strange noises all morning. B: He’s been taking photographs since nine o’clock this
A: Have you taken it to a mechanic? morning.
B: No. I’ve been trying to fix it myself. A: How many photographs has he taken?
A: You should take it to my brother’s shop. He’s been B: Believe it or not, he’s already taken twenty pictures.
fixing cars for years. A: I’ve been trying to get my picture taken for two days.
B: That’s a good idea. Please give me his card. I’ll call him B: I know. Bob is the best photographer in the city. He’s
right away. very busy.

5. 10.
A: What are you and your friends doing? A: You’ve been going on job interviews all morning.
B: We’re standing in line for movie tickets. B: Yes, I have. I’ve been talking to many employers.
A: Oh? How long have you been standing in line? A: Have you had any luck finding a job?
B: We’ve been waiting in this line for a half hour. B: Yes, I have. I’ve already received two job offers.
A: The movie you’re going to see must be popular. A: That’s great. You’ve been looking for a job for a long
B: Yes, it is. It’s been playing in this theater for several time.
months. B: Yes. I’ve been hoping to get a better job with a better
salary.
Grammar Talk 8 - Present Perfect Progressive Tense Page 2

11. 16.
A: You’ve been yawning all day. What’s up? A: How are you feeling, Mr. Jackson?
B: I haven’t been sleeping very well lately. B: Well, Doctor, I’ve been having a back problem.
A: That’s a shame. Why haven’t you been sleeping? A: How long have you been having this problem?
B: I’ve been waking up in the middle of the night a lot. B: It’s been bothering me for two weeks.
A: You should try drinking Nighty Night tea. It will help A: Have you ever had a back problem before?
you sleep. B: No, I haven’t. This is the first time.
B: That’s a good idea. I haven’t been doing anything 17.
about my sleeping problem. A: How is your appetite? Have you been eating well
lately?
12. B: I’ve been eating a balanced diet, I think.
A: You’ve been acting nervous all day. What’s up?
A: A lot of people have been coming to me with back
B: I’m going to fly in an airplane tomorrow.
problems recently.
A: Haven’t you ever flown in an airplane before?
B: What do you usually recommend?
B: No, I haven’t. I’ve been worrying about it for weeks.
A: I’ve been advising my patients to exercise regularly.
A: Don’t worry! I’ve been flying in airplanes for years.
B: OK. I guess there’s nothing to be nervous about. 18.
A: This is a list of exercises. Do them twice a day.
13.
A: Toshi has been living in a small town in Japan all B: Have your other patients been using these exercises.
his life. A: Yes, they have. And they’ve been getting good
B: Yes, and now he’s going to move to San Francisco. results.
A: He’s nervous, because he’s never studied English. B: Well, thank you. Frankly, I haven’t been exercising
B: His cousins have been studying English for years. much.
A: They’ll be able to help him. A: It’s not easy to make time to exercise. But, try it.
B: Toshi has been speaking Japanese all his life. B: I’ve been thinking about exercise for a long time.

14. 19.
A: Toshi has never shopped at an American A: Mario has been assembling cameras since 7 A.M.
supermarket. B: Really? How many cameras has he assembled?
B: Toshi’s cousins have been shopping in American A: He’s assembled 19 cameras so far.
supermarkets for years. B: He’s never assembled that many cameras in one day
A: That’s great. They’ll be able to help him to adjust. before.
B: Toshi has been eating only Japanese food. A: I know. Fortunately, he only has to assemble one more
A: His cousins have been eating hamburgers for years. camera. Then, he can go home.
B: They’ve also been having stomach problems. B: I bet he’s looking forward to a break.

15. 20.
A: Toshi has been taking his girlfriend to the movies A: Judy has been typing letters since 9 A.M.
for years. B: Really? How many letters has she typed so far?
B: Now, Toshi will have to leave his girlfriend. A: She’s typed 25 letters today, and she’s tired.
A: Toshi’s cousins have been dating in America for B: She’s never typed that many letters in one day
years. before.
B: That’s nice. They’ll be able to introduce him to their A: I know that. Fortunately, she only has to type one
friends. more letter. Then, she can go home.
A: Toshi has never left his small town in Japan. B: I bet she’s looking forward to a relaxing dinner.
B: His cousins have been traveling around for years.