Kilo Lingo

Ch 16 · Lesson 9

Have done or have been doing?

Often both are fine. But a number takes the simple form (I've written three emails), and state verbs like know take no -ing.

The short version

Counting finished things forces the simple form

.

Never I have been writing three emails; but I have been writing emails all morning is fine.
Why?

The present perfect continuous reports how you have been spending your time, so it cannot count finished things. The moment you say how many or how much, you need the simple. Drop the number and the continuous comes straight back, because the activity is countless again.

Have done or have been doing?

have, has or have beenthe third form (past participle)the -ing formWhat do the colours mean?

. With live, work and for or since, the two say the same fact:

  • .
  • .

. You count finished things:

FormExample
.
.
.
.

. continuous:

  • . (It's done.)
  • . (Maybe it isn't done. That's why there's paint on my hands.)

Know, like, own: no -ing

have or hasthe third form (past participle)What do the colours mean?

Some verbs are for a , not an activity. They don't take -ing here:

State verbsExample
, .
, , .
, , owned 2015.

Two notes:

  • Want can do both: . and I've been wanting to tell you are both natural.
  • Think takes -ing when it means turn over in your head: I've been thinking about it. Not when it means believe: I've always thought he was right.

Common mistakes

WrongRightWhy
I have working.I've been working. + + -ing.
she have beenshe has been, , : .
been knowingknown .
been reading 3 booksread 3 books : .
been ill last weekwas ill last week : .

Going further: How to make it and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.

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Lesson 9 of 27 in this chapter

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What do the colours mean?