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Jack: What has Alex been doing?James: He has been playing football.Jack: And what is he doing now?James: He is playing games on the computer. Does the entire conversation make sense and sound correct?

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

tenjingDoes the entire conversation make sense and sound correct?

Yes, it's fine.

CJ

Tenjing · Answer

I asked you that question because I wanted to see whether the second Jack's question was unnecessary. Thanks a lot.

CalifJim · Answer

tenjing I asked you that question because I wanted to see whether the second Jack's question was unnecessary. Thanks a lot.

The second question is necessary because what someone has been doing is not the same as what they are doing.

I have been studying French. Now I'm making a sandwich.
Jack has been talking to his girlfriend on the phone. Now he is studying for an exam.
The professor has been teaching for the past hour. Now he is taking a break.
We have been watching TV. Now we are swimming in our pool.
The boss has been working on the Jones account all morning. Now he is interviewing a prospective employee.
Karen has been having breakfast. Now she is getting dressed to go to work.

But also note:

Fran has been studying physics all afternoon, and she is still studying now. She will probably be studying most of the night.
Lana is baking cookies. In fact, she has been baking cookies all morning, and she won't be finished until later this evening.
The manager has been trying to solve that problem all week, but he hasn't found the solution yet, so he is still trying to solve the problem.

These examples should prove to you that "has been doing something" does not mean that the person is continuing to do it, and it doesn't mean that the person has stopped doing it. We don't know for certain either way.

CJ

Tenjing · Answer

Thank you so much,CJ.

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