I am having a problem understanding the meaning of a sentence that uses the present perfect continuous without stating a period of time (how long, since, for, etc). Can the sentence still indicate that the activity is happening from the past until now if time period is not mentioned?
If the time period is mentioned, can the sentence means that the activity was recent or just ended?
I have been looking forward to the holiday.
Does this sentence mean that I am still looking forward to the holiday and that it is not currently the holiday? Or does this sentence mean that I have stopped looking forward to the holiday since I am on holiday now? Or can it mean both?
I have been feeling sad.
Does this sentence mean that I am still feeling sad now? Or does it mean that I felt sad before and that I no longer feel sad now? Or can it mean both?
Best Answer
When you use present perfect tense, the action you are describing is still happening (hence the label, present perfect). So, if you "have been looking forward to the holiday," you still are. And if you "have been sad," you still are.
(See English-At-Home for one reference.)
For further granularity, you might try
or