Negating present perfect continuous

Question

Hello,I have been having problems when using the present perfect continuous in the negative - it seems not all verbs can be used in the negative, for reasons I can't understand no matter how hard I try to reason them.I am going to use the following exchange as an example and hope you can help clear things up to me.A.You look very pale. Are you feeling all right?B.I'm really tired. I haven't slept/haven't been sleeping very well recently.A.Do you mean you have woken/have been waking up very early?B.No, I haven't slept/ haven't been sleeping at all for three nights.Can both of the tenses above be used equally?Please provide reasons and show differences,if possible.Why can't the progressive be used in the negative?And is it limited only to certain verbs?Is it correct to say,for example,'I haven't been having a drink since yesterday'?Thanks.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

nsfs2Why can't the progressive be used in the negative?

The progressive can be used in the negative. In your dialog I would use the progressive in two of the three spots where you have indicated a choice. (have been waking up doesn't contain a negative, however.)

A.You look very pale. Are you feeling all right?
B.I'm really tired. I haven't been sleeping very well recently. (Repeated trouble sleeping.)
A.Do you mean you have been waking up very early? (Repeated waking up.)
B.No, I haven't slept at all for three nights. (Summary of the total amount of sleep lost.)

nsfs2Is it correct to say,for example,'I haven't been having a drink since yesterday'?

No. It's not correct. It should be, "I haven't had a drink since yesterday". to be having a drink is to be in the act of drinking. You don't usually keep drinking and drinking and drinking without stopping for a whole day (since yesterday). However, with different adverbs you can suggest something repeated, something like a habit.

I haven't been having a drink before dinner this week. (Repeated refraining from a drink before dinner throughout the week.)

CJ

Perfect Stranger · Answer

A wonderful answer!

Nsfs2 · Answer

CalifJim nsfs2Why can't the progressive be used in the negative?The progressive can be used in the negative. In your dialog I would use the progressive in two of the three spots where you have indicated a choice. (have been waking up doesn't contain a negative, however.)A.You look very pale. Are you feeling all right?B.I'm really tired. I haven't been sleeping very well recently. (Repeated trouble sleeping.)A.Do you mean you have been waking up very early? (Repeated waking up.)B.No, I haven't slept at all for three nights. (Summary of the total amount of sleep lost.)nsfs2Is it correct to say,for example,'I haven't been having a drink since yesterday'?No. It's not correct. It should be, "I haven't had a drink since yesterday". to be having a drink is to be in the act of drinking. You don't usually keep drinking and drinking and drinking without stopping for a whole day (since yesterday). However, with different adverbs you can suggest something repeated, something like a habit.I haven't been having a drink before dinner this week. (Repeated refraining from a drink before dinner throughout the week.)CJ

Perfect as usual and I can't thank you enough.

Negating present perfect continuous

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