The use of the Present Perfect Continuous.

We distinguish 2 uses of the Presents Perfect Continuous: the Present Perfect Continuous Inclusiveand the Present Perfect Continuous Exclusive. Исключающее и включающее.

1.The Present Perfect Continuous Inclusive is used to denote an action which began in the past, has been going on up to the present and is still going on.

The Present Perfect Continuous Inclusive is generally usedwith since (denoting the starting point of the action), for (denoting thewhole period of duration), these two days, etc. (If the conjunction since introduces a clause, the verb in this clause is in the Past Indefinite.)

I have been lookingout for your white dress for the last ten minutes.(Bennett)

Ever since i saw you lastI have been thinking, thinking.(Dreiser)

As has been stated above the Present Perfect Inclusive is used to denote an action which began in the past, has been going on up to the present and is still going on with verbs not admitting of the Continuous form, in negative sentences and with certain non-terminative verbs.

With verbs not admitting of the Continuous form the Present Perfect Inclusive is the only tense possible.

N о t e. — In colloquial English the verbs to want and to wish are often to be found in the Perfect Continuous form, though, as stated above, they arc not used in the Continuous form.

I have been wishingto speak to you ever since you returned. (Collins)

With verbs in the negative form the Present Perfect Continuous Inclusive can be used, but it is far less common than the Present Perfect Inclusive.

With certain non-terminative verbs both the Present Perfect Inclusive and the Present Perfect Continuous Inclusive are used.

We have workedat the problem for several months. (The fact is emphasized.)

We have been working and workingat the problem for months and I don't think we are likely to solve it.(Locke) (The process is emphasized.)

The Present Perfect Continuous Inclusive is rendered in Russian by the present:

I have been teachingat this school for 20 years. Япреподаюв этой школе 20 лет.

2. The Present Perfect Continuous Exclusivedenotes an action which was recently in progress but is no longer going on at thepresent moment.

Действие которое недавно было в прогрессе, но уже закончилось в теперешнем моменте.

You are not well today. You look distressed. You have been weeping. Вы плакали. (Dickens)

· ThePresent Perfect Continuous Exclusive is used to express repeated actions inihe past.

Выразить повторяющиеся действия в прошлом.

How have you been spending your money? I have been buying pictures.(Locke)

I have been gettingletters from him. Я получаю письма от него.

The Present Perfect Continuous Exclusive is often used with an emotional colouring.

I suppose you have been tellinglies again. (Marryat)

ThePresent Perfect Continuous Exclusive is rendered in Russian by the past imperfective.

Your eyes are red. You have been crying.У вас покраснели глаза. Выплакали.

12. The formation and use of the Past Simple in the Active Voice.

1.The Past Indefinite is formed by adding-ed or-d to the stem (regular verbs), or by changing the root vowel, or in some other ways (irregular verbs).

2.The interrogative and the negative forms are formed by means of the Past Indefinite of the auxiliary verb to do (did) and the infinitive of the notional verb without the particle to.