Where we have to use has been/have been? Can't we use has/have instead of it
1 Answer
The difference we're working with is the difference between Perfect and Perfect Continuous tenses.
Explanation:
Let's set up a situation and test it:
Mom: Have you done your homework?
Son: Not yet.
Mom: It's 11pm and tomorrow is a school day! What have you been doing???
Can we drop been? No...
Mom: Did you do your homework?
Son: Not yet.
Mom: It's 11pm and tomorrow is a school day! What have you doing???
The difference we're working with is the difference between Perfect and Perfect Continuous tenses.
With a Perfect tense, we have an action that is completed. Note that Mom's first question is in a Perfect tense ("have done") - she expects the homework is done.
When Son says he hasn't yet, Mom now knows that it isn't done and wants to know what Son has been doing (Past Perfect Continuous because the action isn't done yet).
Or, from the son's perspective:
I have been playing Call of Duty. (Present Perfect Continuous)
I have finished my homework already. (Present Perfect)
I told her I hadn't yet because it's funny to watch her get upset.
For more information on tenses, check this link out:
