6.3.2. The present perfect progressive form and the present progressive form The present perfect progressive form (PrPPro) which was explained in the previous subsection is the form which expresses the durative act from a certain past to the present *27 *27 PrPPro can express the act which is stopped in the recent past. Now, in view of the durative act, PrPPro is similar to the present progressive form (PrPro). The difference is whether the speaker feels the past or not. See the following examples. (31) a. She is making a birthday cake. b. She has been making a birthday cake. These are shown below. (32) a. Present progressive form b. Present perfect progressive form The meaning might be similar, but the time representation is different. The time line of (32a) is put on E and its starting and ending point are obscure. But the time line of (32b) starts from E in a certain past and it extends to the present. Thus, if the speaker feels the starting point in a certain past, s/he uses PrPPro, if not, that is, the durative obscure act is felt, s/he uses PrPro.

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