Sign inPresent Perfect Continuous
The present perfect continuous tense is a useful tense in English grammar. Why? Because it connects the present and the past. Let's see how.
What Is present perfect continuous Tense?
The present perfect continuous tense (also known as the present perfect progressive) just like the present perfect simple can be used to talk about past actions or states which are still connected to the present.
Their difference is that the present perfect simple normally focuses on the result of the activity, and the present perfect continuous normally focuses on the process of the activity. Let's compare these examples:
I
Here the tense of the sentence is present perfect, therefore the focus is on the result.
I
Here the tense of the sentence is present perfect continuous, therefore the focus is on the activity.
Present Perfect Continuous: Structure
The present perfect continuous is comprised of the present perfect of the verb 'to be' (have/has been), and the present participle of the main verb (verb+ing).
When we use the present perfect continuous tense in speaking, we often contract the subject and auxiliary verb 'have.'
I
She
Present Perfect Continuous: Negation
For negative sentences you put 'not' between the auxiliary verb 'have' and the auxiliary verb 'been.'
It has been raining. → It has
We have been playing in the park. → We have
In negative sentences, we can contract the auxiliary verb 'have' and 'not.' See the examples:
It
We
Present Perfect Continuous: Questions
For yes/no questions sentences, we change the place of the subject and 'have.' Look at these example sentences with the present perfect continuous tense:
I
He
For wh- question sentences, do the same thing you do for yes/no questions and add the proper wh- question word at the beginning of the sentence and omit the part that is the answer.
I have been living
here 'in London' is the answer therefore, it is omitted.
She's been
Tip!
If you want to learn more about spelling rules for adding -ing to the base form of verbs, see here.
Using Present Perfect Continuous to Talk about Past Action Still-ongoing
Present Perfect Continuous: Uses
When someone uses the present perfect continuous, they are thinking about:
- Recently-Finished Past Actions
- Still-ongoing Past Actions
- Temporary Actions
Recently-Finished Past Actions
We use the 'present perfect continuous tense' to talk about actions that have stopped recently, but we are interested in the ongoing action and its impact on the present. It means the result is still obvious, but remember in this case, the focus is on the action, not just the result. For example:
I'm tired because I
Why are you wet?
Still-ongoing Past Actions
We use the 'present perfect continuous tense' to talk about an action that started in the past and is continuing now. This is often used with for or since. In this case, it is important to know that the action is still ongoing. Remember, we are referring to the 'duration' of the action, so we do not use time expressions to indicate the number of times the action has been repeated. Check out the examples.
She
It means she's still waiting now.
I
It means the speaker still hasn't finished it.
For and Since
We use 'since' with a fixed point in time in the past (2004, April 23rd, last year). The past simple tense refers to an action that occurred at a specific point in the past. (since I was at school; since I arrived). We use 'for' with a period of time (2 hours, three years, six months). Take a look at the following examples.
I have been studying
Joe hasn't been visiting us
Temporary Actions
Actions or States
We can use the 'present perfect continuous tense' to describe ongoing states or actions that are likely to change or have an impact on the future. For example:
They
She
Development
We use the 'present perfect tense' to refer to new developments that you believe, may be temporary and you think they are about to change again. Check out the following examples for more clarification.
They
You
When Not to Use Present Perfect Continuous Tense
We do not normally use the continuous with stative verbs (also called non-continuous verbs). These verbs are normally used in the simple form because they refer to states, rather than actions or progress. Use the simple present perfect with verbs such as 'know, hate, hear, understand, want.'
I
I
Review
Now that you followed the article you must know that the present continuous tense is mainly used when we are:
- talking about recently finished past actions.
- talking about actions which started in the past and are still continuing even now.
Structure, Contraction, Affirmative, Negative, and Question Forms
| structure | subject + have/has + been + v + -ing |
|---|---|
| affirmative |
Their mother |
| negative |
Their mother |
| contraction |
Their mother |
| yes/no question |
|
| -wh question |
|
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