Meaning
La locution « I’ve been » est la contraction de « I have been ». En français, elle se traduit généralement par « j’ai été » ou « je suis allé », selon le contexte. Cette expression est utilisée dans le présent parfait, un temps qui permet de parler d’une action commencée dans le passé et qui a une certaine pertinence ou un effet sur le présent.
Par exemple, si vous dites « I’ve been to Paris », cela signifie que vous avez visité Paris à un moment donné dans le passé et que cette expérience est encore pertinente aujourd’hui. De même, « I’ve been working here for five years » indique que vous avez commencé à travailler il y a cinq ans et que vous travaillez toujours ici actuellement.
En résumé, « I’ve been » est une structure utile pour parler d'expériences passées ou d'actions qui ont commencé dans le passé mais sont toujours d'actualité ou ont un impact sur le moment présent. Elle souligne la continuité ou la pertinence actuelle de l’action mentionnée.
Today's Sentences
- I’ve been busy.
- I’ve been going out.
- I’ve been staying up late.
- I’ve been waiting for you for an hour.
- I’ve been playing beach volleyball over the summer.
- Writer's Note
01
I’ve been busy.
Situation 1
What have you been up to?
I’ve been busy.
Doing what?
I’ve been doing yoga after work everyday.
Situation 2
Do you have time to meet up?
Actually, I’m a little tired today.
Are you? Why so tired?
I’ve been busy.
02
I’ve been going out.
Situation 1
I’ve called you so many times this past week.
I’ve been going out.
Every night?
Yes, mostly work related meetings.
Situation 2
You look extra tired today.
I’ve been going out.
Long nights?
Too much drinking and partying.
03
I’ve been staying up late.
Situation 1
Are you ok?
Why?
You look exhausted.
I’ve been staying up late.
Situation 2
What did you do last night?
I started playing video games after dinner.
How long did you play?
I’ve been staying up late.
Playing all night.
Je joue toute la nuit.
04
I’ve been waiting for you for an hour.
Situation 1
Where are you?
I’m on the way.
I’ve been waiting for you for an hour.
I’m so sorry.
I missed the train and now I’m stuck in traffic.
J'ai raté le train et maintenant je suis coincé dans les embouteillages.
Situation 2
Are you done work yet?
No, I’m stuck in a meeting.
I’ve been waiting for you for an hour.
I’m sorry but I can’t leave yet.
Why don’t you wait for me at the cafe down the street?
Pourquoi ne m'attendriez-vous pas au café en bas de la rue ?
05
I’ve been playing beach volleyball over the summer.
Situation 1
What have you been up to?
I’ve been playing beach volleyball over the summer.
Really?
I used to play too.
Je jouais aussi.
You should come play with us!
Situation 2
You look so tanned.
Did you go somewhere?
Avez-vous voyagé quelque part ?
No, I’ve been playing beach volleyball over the summer.
You look like you came back from a sunny vacation.
Thanks.
Writer's Note
"Have been" is the form used with any other subject (including the pronouns "I, we, and they"). Means that something began in the past and has lasted into the present time.
"Had been" is the past perfect form of "be" and is used regardless of the subject. "Had been" Means that something happened in the past and has already ended.
Combined with the present participles of other verbs to form their past perfect continuous, for example, "had been studying" and present perfect continuous, for example, "has/have been studying" forms.
Example sentences
- I have been eating salads for lunch. 👉 I've been eating salads for lunch.
- We have been taking dance lessons. 👉We've been taking dance lessons.
- They have been engaging in criminal activity. 👉 They've been engaging in criminal activity.
- I have been sick for two days. 👉 I've been sick for two days.
- I have been studying English every day. 👉 I've been studying English every day.
Happy learning! See you on our next post♥️