Can I use the progressive form in that case

Question

You are late!! Have you been missing your train once more?

Can I use the progressive form as in this case it is something he has done regurlarly

Your hair, they are green !! What have you been doing?

Same question can I use a progressive form as I'm not happy to see his hair green

Hair is singular, Your hair, it's green and it sounds awkward to say What have you been doing?. I'd say What were you doing? — SovereignSun, May 27, 2017 at 8:20
In the first example I'd use did, You are late! Did you miss your train as usual? Here as usual implies a habitual action. — SovereignSun, May 27, 2017 at 8:23
Why does it sound awkwards?Could you explain it to me In both cases in my mind the activities have just ended — user5577, May 27, 2017 at 9:01
The first sentence sounds as if the person was missing it on purpose over and over during some time. The second sentence sounds as if it's no way connected with the fact that his hair is green. Another possible structure is "What have you done?" but implies a very different meaning. — SovereignSun, May 27, 2017 at 9:11
you mean that you did not choose to miss your train, it is not a voluntary action and in the second example if i add what have you been doing with your hair? , it is connected now thanks for you explaination — user5577, May 27, 2017 at 9:30

olegst · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-27 08:02:19Z

-1

I would say:

You're late,are you going to miss your train again?

or:

... are you missing your train again?

The example with hair sounds okay.

If you're unhappy with someone's habit, you can use present continuous in this way:

You're always leaving the door unlocked!

answered May 27, 2017 at 8:02

olegst

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Why is it not possible to use present perfect with the first example youre late !!!!! you have been missing your train once more. Yes I know we can use present continuous but we can also use present perfct continuous so what is the difference
– user5577
May 27, 2017 at 8:25
@user5577 Have been doing puts emphasis that the action has been done from some, perhaps unspecified point in the past and either has just ended or is still being done. When talking about train, emphasis is rather on the current state if being late and missing the train.
– olegst
May 27, 2017 at 8:36

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