llevar+gerundio

Question

hi all, here is my question:

does llevar + gerundio, give the meaning of "have been" in english? for example, "Ella lleva hablando por dos horas" is the same with "she has been speaking for two hours"?

Good question, not to mention your nickname, which I would give a vote if only that was possible ;) - bomberapolaca, Feb 19, 2010

http://www.mbtflying.com/ - britneyspears, Apr 30, 2010

Answer 1

Hi panzer

I think that you might be referring to the construction of:

Llevar + tiempo + gerundio

For example

• Llevo dos años viviendo aquí - I have been living here for 2 years

• Llevo una hora corriendo - I have been running for an hour

You might want to notice that in these types of constructions the time element is mandatory because you are essentially indicating how much time you have (are carrying) under your belt (so to speak) performing a given action.

Couldn't be clearer :) - bomberapolaca, Feb 19, 2010

Answer 2

clipped from article online:

Alternate method. Instead of using hacer, it is also possible to use the verb llevar + period of time + gerund. Llevar is likewise used in the imperfect:

Llevaba tres horas trabajando. I had been working for three hours.

¿Cuánto tiempo llevabas viajando por México? How long had you been traveling around Mexico?

Yes, present tense would translate as has/have been just as it does with hace in the present tense.

You are too quick Q - Izanoni1, Feb 19, 2010

Answer 3

llevar goes first, the amount of time comes second, the gerund comes third