Present perfect continuous tense is used when we talk about an action that started in the past and is still happening now, or just stopped but had been going on for some time.
It shows how long something has been happening and often uses words like “for” and “since.”
Examples
She has been studying English for two hours.
(She started two hours ago and she’s still studying now.)
They have been working on the project since Monday.
(They began on Monday and they’re still working—or just recently stopped.)
Table of Contents
- what is present perfect continuous tense?
- Structure and formula of present perfect continuous tense
- Uses of present perfect continuous tense.
- How to use since and for
- Examples of present perfect continuous tense.
- Exercise of present perfect continuous tense with answers
- Fluently asked questions of present perfect continuous tense.
What is the present perfect continuous tense?
Present perfect continuous tense also known as present perfect progressive tense is used to speak about an action or event that began in the past and still continue in present time.
It has two auxiliary verbs the auxiliary verb of be in past (been) and auxiliary have in present and wokrs with the verb present participle .
Example
I have been learning Mathematics since 2 years.
My father has been working since 2000.
present perfect continuous tense structure
The helping verbs of the tense have been and has been each consisting of two auxiliary verbs :-
The first auxiliary verb is have or has in present form and the second auxiliary verb is been which in past participle of be.
Use have with ( we, they, you, I or plural nouns) acting as subject.
Use has with ( he, she, it or singular nouns) action as subject.
Present perfect continuous formula
The formula is as follows:-
Subject +have been /has been + verb +ing + the rest of the sentence
Examples of present perfect continuous tense
Affirmative sentences
To make statement sentences use the basic formula of the tense
Subject +have been /has been + verb +ing + the rest of the sentence
1) Liban has been playing football since 2020.
2) We have been talking each other for 30 minutes.
3) The rain has been raining for 2 hours.
4) I have been preparing the exam for 3 days.
5) The students have been reading the books for 1 hour.
Negative sentences
To make negative sentences use this formula:-
Subject +have been /has been+ not + verb +ing + the rest of the sentence
Put “not” between has and been or between have and been.
1) Liban has not been playing football since 2020.
2) We have not been talking each other for 30 minutes.
3) The rain has not been raining for 2 hours.
4) I have not been preparing the exam for 3 days.
5) The students have not been reading the books for 1 hour.
Question sentences
To make question sentences use this formula:-
Have been /has been+Subject + verb +ing + the rest of the sentence
1) Has Liban been playing football since 2020?
2) have we been talking each other for 30 minutes?
3) Has the rain been raining for 2 hours.?
4) Have I been preparing the exam for 3 days?
5) Have the students been reading the books for 1 hour?
Question with Negative sentences
To make question negative sentences of use this formula:-
Haven’t been /hasn’t been+Subject + verb +ing + the rest of the sentence
1) Hasn’t Liban been playing football since 2020?
2) haven’t we been talking each other for 30 minutes?
3) Hasn’t the rain been raining for 2 hours.?
4) Haven’t I been preparing the exam for 3 days?
5) Haven’t the students been reading the books for 1 hour?
How to use since and for
For is used for a period of time which can happen in present, past and future.
Example
I was waiting the bus for 30 minutes.
Since is used to talk about a time that started in the past time and still continue.
Example
My father has been working since 2000.
How to use present perfect continuous tense?
■ It is used to talk about an action or event that began in the past time and still continue
Example
Maria has been teaching the students for 6 years.
■ It also used to show actions that finished recently.
Example
She is tried , she has been running.
present perfect continuous tense exercise
Fill the blank spaces and check your understanding about the lesson
1) I have ____ learning English since 2018.
2) The has been ____ (teach) for 2 hours.
3) She has been _____(cook) for 1 hour.
4) Farah has been _____ (work) in this company for 6 years.
5) The pupils ____ been reading the books for 45 minutes.
6) They have not _____ playing the game since last year.
7) He has been ______ buying cars for 3 years.
8) The baker has ___ been baking the cakes for 3 days.
9) The milkman has ____ ____ milk the camel for 30 minutes.
10) The lion has not ____ ______(run) after the cow for five minutes.
11) ______ the tigers been eating the meat for a day?
12) ______ ____ the cats been chasing the rat for three weeks?
13) _____ _____ the boys been seducing the girls for weeks?
14) _____ The girls been cooking the food for three hours?
15) _____ the birds been flying over the trees for five hours?
answers
1) I have been learning English since 2018.
2) The teacher has been teaching for 2 hours.
3) She has been cooking for 1 hour.
4) Farah has been working this company for 6 years.
5) The pupils have been reading the books for 45 minutes.
6) They have not been playing the game since last year.
7) He has been not buying cars for 3 years.
8) The baker has not been baking the cakes for 3 days.
9) The milkman has not been milk the camel for 30 minutes.
10) The lion has not been running after the cow for five minutes.
11) Have the tigers been eating the meat for a day?
12) Have not the cats been chasing the rat for three weeks?
13) Have not the boys been seducing the girls for weeks?
14) Have The girls been cooking the food for three hours?
15) Have the birds been flying over the trees for five hours?
Fluently asked questions on present continuous tense
What is present perfect continuous tense?
Present perfect continuous tense also known as present perfect progressive tense is used to speak about an action or event that began in the past and still continue in present time.
What is the difference between present continuous tense and present perfect continuous tense?
Present continuous tense is used to express an
action, which is happening right now, or at the time of speaking and Present perfect continuous tense is used to speak about an action or event that began in the past and still continue in present time.
present perfect continuous vs present perfect
The Present Perfect Continuous tense describes an action that started in the past and is still continuing now, or has recently stopped, but has a connection to the present.
Examples:
She has been studying English for two hours.
They have been working on the project since Monday.
Present perfect Describes an action that happened at an unspecified time in the past or started in the past and still has relevance to the present.
Examples:
She has visited London three times.
I have finished my homework.
What are the uses of present perfect continuous tense?
The uses of Present Perfect continuous tense are:-
■ Present perfect continuous tense is used to talk about an action or event that began in the past time and still continue
■ It also used to show actions that finished recently.