A.  First, review the forms of the present perfect progressive tense.

I have (I’ve)    + been    + a verb in its simple form¹    + ing
We have (We’ve)    + been    + a verb in its simple form    + ing
You have (You’ve)    + been    + a verb in its simple form    + ing
They have (They’ve)    + been    + a verb in its simple form    + ing
She has (She’s)    + been    + a verb in its simple form    + ing
He has (He’s)    + been    + a verb in its simple form    + ing
It has (It’s)    + been    + a verb in its simple form    + ing

¹You may need to delete the final e or double the final consonant.

B.  Look at the drawing below. Where are these people? Where are they going? How do they feel?

C.  Read the conversation between Person A and Person B below. Fill in each blank with the present perfect progressive form of the verb in parentheses. 

A. I (wait) __________________________________ for the Number 31 bus for fifteen minutes.  Are you waiting for the Number 31, too? 

B. No, I’m waiting for the Number 6. I (wait) __________________________________ for twenty minutes.

A. I wonder what’s going on. My bus is usually on time, but this week it (run) __________________________________ late.

B. For the last month, my bus (arrive) __________________________________ late every day. But it’s never been this late.

A. My sister used to take the bus. But her bus was really late last Friday, and she (ride) __________________________________ the subway ever since. She says the buses are too undependable.

B. My brother says the same thing. He doesn’t take the bus anymore, either. Lately he (use) __________________________________ Uber or Lyft.

A. I might do that, too. The bus used to be great. But this week I (get) __________________________________ to work late.

B. I know what you mean. I (take)  __________________________________ the bus to the university all semester. But lately I (miss) __________________________________ the beginning of class. 

A. I (think) __________________________________ about buying a car. Hey–if I do, would you like a ride? I work near the university. 

B. That would be great. My name’s Caitlin, by the way.

A. I’m John.

B. Here come our buses! Let me give you my number. Give me a call if you buy a car. 

A. I will. Bye, Caitlin.

B. Bye, John.

D.  Read the conversation above aloud with a partner.

E.  What do you think will happen next? Write the ending to this story on your own paper.

Copyright © 2019 Sandra Heyer. All rights reserved. Permission granted to reproduce for classroom use.
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