English grammar
Keep + -ing; have been + -ing for how long (recap)
Say you keep doing something, and how long you've been doing it.
From the scene Keep walking
In short
Keep + -ing means carry on doing it: keep walking! Have been + -ing says how long something has been going on.
Your turn
Which one goes with I keep + -ing?
Options: I keep waiting anyway · keep walking! · I've been waiting two hours
Show answer
I keep + -ing → I keep waiting anyway
How it works
Keep + -ing means to carry on doing something: keep walking!, I keep waiting.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Nuria, you've been (blank) around this square for half an hour!
Options: walk · walked · walking
Show answer
Nuria, you've been walking around this square for half an hour!
Nuria, ¡llevas caminando por esta plaza media hora!
Good to know
You already know have been + -ing for something ongoing and how long it's lasted: I've been waiting two hours, you've been walking for half an hour.
keep + -ing (carry on) keep walking!
Nuria
Yes, I keep walking until he says 'cut'.
Sí, continúo caminando hasta que él diga «corten».
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Yes, I (blank) until he says 'cut'.
Options: I keep waiting anyway · I've been waiting two hours · keep walking
Show answer
Nuria
Yes, I keep walking until he says 'cut'.
Sí, continúo caminando hasta que él diga «corten».
I keep + -ing I keep waiting anyway
Javi
I know, but I keep waiting anyway.
Ya lo sé, pero sigo esperando igualmente.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
I know, but (blank).
Options: I've been waiting two hours · I keep waiting anyway · Keep walking
Show answer
Javi
I know, but I keep waiting anyway.
Ya lo sé, pero sigo esperando igualmente.
(recap) have been + -ing + for I've been waiting two hours
Javi
Yes. I've been waiting two hours with the food.
Sí. Yo llevo esperando dos horas con la comida.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Yes. (blank) with the food.
Options: I've been waiting two hours · Keep walking · I keep waiting anyway
Show answer
Javi
Yes. I've been waiting two hours with the food.
Sí. Yo llevo esperando dos horas con la comida.
(recap) how long you've been walking for half an hour
Your turn
What goes with you've been walking for half an hour?
Options: keep + -ing (carry on) · I keep + -ing · (recap) how long
Show answer
you've been walking for half an hour → (recap) how long
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| keep + -ing (carry on) | keep walking! |
|---|---|
| I keep + -ing | I keep waiting anyway |
| (recap) have been + -ing + for | I've been waiting two hours |
| (recap) how long | you've been walking for half an hour |
More lines from the story
- JaviNuria, you've been walking around this square for half an hour!Nuria, ¡llevas caminando por esta plaza media hora!
- JaviAnd you keep walking without stopping?¿Y tú sigues caminando sin parar?
- NuriaIf I keep walking a bit more, I'll reach my village on foot!Si sigo caminando un poco más, ¡llego a mi pueblo andando!