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  • Present Perfect Continuous

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    Camelia Pleșa
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    The present perfect continuous tense is used to show that an action started in the past and is still ongoing or has recent relevance. It is formed using "has/have" + "been" + the present participle of the verb. This tense emphasizes the duration of an action and is used (1) to show something started in the past and continues to the present, often with time expressions like "for five minutes" and (2) to refer to recent or ongoing actions without a specific duration using expressions like "lately" or "recently". Non-continuous verbs cannot be used in the present perfect continuous tense.

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    The present perfect continuous tense is used to show that an action started in the past and is still ongoing or has recent relevance. It is formed using "has/have" + "been" + the present participle of the verb. This tense emphasizes the duration of an action and is used (1) to show something started in the past and continues to the present, often with time expressions like "for five minutes" and (2) to refer to recent or ongoing actions without a specific duration using expressions like "lately" or "recently". Non-continuous verbs cannot be used in the present perfect continuous tense.

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    1K views3 pages

    Present Perfect Continuous

    Uploaded by

    Camelia Pleșa
    The present perfect continuous tense is used to show that an action started in the past and is still ongoing or has recent relevance. It is formed using "has/have" + "been" + the present participle of the verb. This tense emphasizes the duration of an action and is used (1) to show something started in the past and continues to the present, often with time expressions like "for five minutes" and (2) to refer to recent or ongoing actions without a specific duration using expressions like "lately" or "recently". Non-continuous verbs cannot be used in the present perfect continuous tense.

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    of 3

    Present Perfect Continuous

    The present perfect continuous (also called present perfect progressive) is a verb
    tense which is used to show that an action started in the past and has continued up
    to the present moment. The present perfect continuous usually emphasizes duration,
    or the amount of time that an action has been taking place.

    Present Perfect Continuous Forms


    The present perfect continuous is formed using has/have + been + present
    participle. Questions are indicated by inverting the subject and has/have. Negatives
    are made with not.

     Statement: You have been waiting here for two hours.


     Question: Have you been waiting here for two hours?
     Negative: You have not been waiting here for two hours.

    Present Perfect Continuous Uses


    USE 1 Duration from the Past Until Now

    We use the present perfect continuous to show that something started in the past
    and has continued up until now. For five minutes, for two weeks, and since
    Tuesday are all durations which can be used with the present perfect continuous.

    Examples:

     They have been talking for the last hour.


     She has been working at that company for three years.
     What have you been doing for the last 30 minutes?
     James has been teaching at the university since June.
     We have been waiting here for over two hours!
     Why has Nancy not been taking her medicine for the last three days?

    USE 2 Recently, Lately


    You can also use the present perfect continuous WITHOUT a duration such as for
    two weeks. Without the duration, the tense has a more general meaning of lately. We
    often use the words lately or recently to emphasize this meaning.

    Examples:

     Recently, I have been feeling really tired.


     She has been watching too much television lately.
     Have you been exercising lately?
     Mary has been feeling a little depressed.
     Lisa has not been practicing her English.
     What have you been doing?

    IMPORTANT

    Remember that the present perfect continuous has the meaning of lately or recently.
    If you use the present perfect continuous in a question such as "Have you been
    feeling alright?", it can suggest that the person looks sick or unhealthy. A question
    such as "Have you been smoking?" can suggest that you smell the smoke on the
    person. Using this tense in a question suggests you can see, smell, hear or feel the
    results of the action. It is possible to insult someone by using this tense incorrectly.

    REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs/ Mixed Verbs

    It is important to remember that non-continuous verbs cannot be used in any


    continuous tenses. Also, certain non-continuous meanings for mixed verbs cannot be
    used in continuous tenses. Instead of using present perfect continuous with these
    verbs, you must use present perfect.

    Examples:

     Sam has been having his car for two years. Not Correct


     Sam has had his car for two years. Correct

    ADVERB PLACEMENT

    The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such
    as always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

    Examples:

     You have only been waiting here for one hour.


     Have you only been waiting here for one hour?

    ACTIVE / PASSIVE
    Examples:

     Recently, John has been doing the work. Active


     Recently, the work has been being done by John. Passive

    NOTE: Present perfect continuous is less commonly used in its passive form.

    Present Perfect Continuous Forms


    Positive Negative Question

    I have been sleeping. I have not been sleeping. Have I been sleeping?

    You have been sleeping. You have not been sleeping. Have you been sleeping?

    We have been sleeping. We have not been sleeping. Have we been sleeping?

    They have been sleeping. They have not been sleeping. Have they been sleeping?

    He has been sleeping. He has not been sleeping. Has he been sleeping?

    She has been sleeping. She has not been sleeping. Has she been sleeping?

    It has been sleeping. It has not been sleeping. Has it been sleeping?

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