I have been..... - Is there a simple rule? Present Perfect

Question

Dear All - I am hoping there is a simple rule/explanation to this.

I have been "sleeping" or "eating".

Is it "He estado dormir"/"he estado comer"

OR "He estado durmiendo"/"he estado comiendo".

I am trying to ascertain if you conjugate the 2nd verb to the gerund ("sleeping" and "eating") or leave it as the infinitive. Is there a rule about this? I have looked in all my grammar books and everywhere on the web and cannot find an answer. When I use the online translating tools I get different answers and now I am really confused.

I really wanted to say "I have been diagnosed with pneumonia" and that confused me totally - I am not even sure if "diagnosed" is a verb or not now. Do you conjugate the 2nd verb to the past participle (diagnosticado) or leave it as the infinitive. So would it be:

"He sido diagnosticado con neumonia"

OR

"He sido diagnosticar con neumonia"

Would "I have been bashed" be:

"He sido golpeado"

Thank you in advance.

Christine

Answer 1

to have been doing something, presente perfect continuous

This tense is best used in Spanish like this:

Llevar + gerundio

I have been smoking for five years.

Llevo fumando desde hace cinco años.

YOu can also used what you suggested.

he estado durmiendo. (not dormir!)

He estado comiendo . (not comer!!)

"He sido diagnosticado con neumonia"

Would "I have been bashed" be:

"He sido golpeado"

However, the passive is not often used in Spanish, we prefer the passive with se.

Se me ha diagnosticado...se me ha golpeado....

Or directly: me han diagnósticado, me han golpeado..

Thank you so much Heidita - you explained it perfectly!! I am not that familiar with using "the passive with se". I have only used it a few times and not 100% sure about it - I now have something to study and learn more about! Thank you again. - ChristineX, Aug 2, 2011

Yes, a wonderful and clear answer Very well explained as usual:) - FELIZ77, Aug 2, 2011

thank you for joining us:) - 00494d19, Aug 2, 2011

thanks feliz:) - 00494d19, Aug 2, 2011

Muchas gracias, Heidita:) - migelis, Aug 2, 2011

Gracias, Heidita. - danrivera, Aug 2, 2011

Answer 2

perfect progressive tense haber estado+gerundio

perfect tense in passive vocie haber sido + past participle