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Grammar II
Simple or Progressive?
The past progressive is formed with
was/were + base verb + -ing
.
The past progressive is used to express an activity in progress in the past. Often it can be interrupted by the simple past:
>>
I was smoking a cigarette when my mother walked in.
The progressive action, smoking, is interrupted by the simple past.
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Were you smoking a cigarette when your mother walked in?
The present perfect progressive, is formed with
have/has been + base verb + -ing
.
The present perfect progressive is used to express something that begins in the past and continues to the present:
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I have been studying English for five years.
She started studying English five years ago, and still does.
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How long have you been studyingEnglish?
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Johannes hasn't been studying English like I asked him to.
Sometimes there is no difference in meaning with the simple and progressive:
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I have been living in Spain since June.
This is preferable.
>>
I have lived in Spain since June.
This is correct as well.
The present perfect progressive also expresses a past activity with a present result:
>>
I'm tired. I've been working all day.
The person is tired as a result of working all day.
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