Present perfect continous tense is used to describe an action that has started in the past but still continue.
Present perfect continuous, which is also known as present perfect progressive tense in English grammar. Present perfect continuous tells us that an action started in the past and that action is still in progress in the present. In simple words, it relates past actions to the present time.
I have been learning English grammar.
If you were doing something and are still working on it, you will use the present perfect continuous tense to describe your activity. For example, you would say, ” I have been learning English for two months.” This means that you started learning English grammar two months ago and are still learning it. The activity has not ended yet.
In this article, you will learn the present perfect continuous tense, its identification in English sentences, how to make sentences using present perfect continuous, and examples of sentences to explain its correct use.
Present perfect continuous is a verb tense that describes an action that started in the past but continues in the present.
Examples:
- He has been working all day long.
- She has been studying for two months.
- They have been constructing the house for months.
Identification of Present Perfect Continuous in English
Present perfect continuous sentences always use the auxiliary verb has been or have been with the present participle (ing-verb). So, if the sentence is: ” I have been learning English grammar for two months,” have been + learning tells us that it is present perfect continuous tense because the activity or action started in the past and still continues in the present.
When to use Present Perfect Continuous Tense
Using the present perfect continuous in English is simple. If the action started in the past and continues until the present time, then use the present perfect continuous.
There are two situations in which the present perfect continuous tense is used. First, an action started in the past but still continues in the present. Second, the action recently ended but still has a relation to the present. Take a look at the following examples:
- She has been practicing for two years.
- It has been snowing.
How to Make Present Perfect Continuous Tense
To form the present perfect continuous tense, we use has been/have been + present participle.
Keep in mind that a present participle is the form of a verb made by adding -ing with the root form of the verb.
Structural Formula of Present Perfect Continous Tense
Subject + has been/have been + Present Participle + Object
Use of has been/have been in the Present Perfect Continuous.
In the present perfect tense, we use since and for to talk about the time. if the there is specific time for an action to start, then we use since. Coversley, we use for for general time when we don’t exactly.
He, She, It
- He has been studying for two months.
- She has been cleaning the house for two days.
- It has been running since morning.
I, We, They, You
- They have been taking part in the competition.
- We have been painting the house.
- I have been reading the book the whole night.
- You have been playing soccer.
Use of Since vs. For in the present Continuous Tense
Since is used when there is a specific time.
For example;
- I have been playing soccer since 2019.
- I have been living in this house since childhood.
- They have been visiting us since 2000.
For is used when there is no specific time.
For example;
- I have been playing soccer for five years.
- I have been living in this house for a long time.
- They have been visiting us for three days.
Positive Sentences of Present Perfect Continuous Tense
In positive sentences, we use has/have been+present participle. Subject comes first followed by has/have been + present participle + object. Take a look at the following examples of positive sentences in present perfect continuous tense.
- He has been working.
- He has been studying.
- He has been eating.
Negative Sentences of Present Perfect Continuous Tense
In the negative sentences of present perfect continuous tense, we add not after has or have. the structure os the sentence looks like this:
Subject + has/have not been + present participle + object
Take a look at the following sentences;
- He has not been working.
- He has not been studying.
- He has not been eating.
Question Sentences of Present Perfect Continuous Tense
To ask a question using present perfect continuous tense, we start the sentence with has/have followed by a subject. The structure of the sentence looks like this;
Has/Have + Subject + been + present participle + object
Here are some examples of question sentences of present perfect continuous tense.
- Has he been working?
- Has he been studying?
- Has he been eating?
Present Continuous vs. Present Perfect Continuous
Present continous and present perfect continous can be confusing for language leaner. But there is difference between these two sentence.
In present continous tense, an action is continuously happening in the present time. For example;
- He is working.
- He is sleeping .
- He is running.
If an action starts in the past and continues in the present, we use present perfect tense instead of present continuous. Take a look at the following examples of present perfect continuous tense.
- He has been working.
- He has been sleeping.
- He has been running.
Some verbs that describe state of being or ownership can’t be used in the present perfect continuous tesne. for example:
- He has been owning this house for years.
- He has been being smart his whole life.
The correct use of these sentences would be in the present perfect tense, like:
- He has owned this house for years.
- He has been smart his whole life.
Example of Present Perfect Continuous Tense
- He has been sleeping all day.
- She has been cooking for hours.
- They have not been visiting us since last year.
- We have not been inviting them for years.
- Have you been waiting for us all day?
- Have you been traveling around the world since childhood?
Conclusion
- Present perfect tense is a verb tense used to talk about actions that started in the past and continue in the present.
- To identify this verb tense in English, look for the auxiliary verb has or have been + present participle.
- Present perfect continuous tense describes an action that started in the past and is still ongoing. It is also used to talk about recently finished actions related to the present.
- We use has been or have been with the present participle to make the present perfect continuous tense.
- If the action is unrelated to the present, then the present perfect tense is the right verb tense to describe such actions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is present perfect continous tense?
Present perfect continuous tense is a verb tense showing an action that started in the past but continues in the present.
What are some examples of present perfect continuous tense?
- He has been studying whole night.
- It has been raining since morning.
How to make present perfect continuous tense?
To make the present perfect continuous tense, we use/have been with the present participle (-ing verb).
How to use has or have in the present continuous tense?
With pronouns, he, she, it, or singular nouns, use the auxiliary verb has been + ing-verb. With pronouns I, we, you, they, or plural nouns, use have been + ing-verb.
I hope this article helped you learn the present perfect continuous tense in English with examples and how to use it in sentences.
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