Present Perfect Continuous Tense - Spoken English Guru

What is the Present Perfect Continuous Tense?

The present perfect continuous tense describes an action that started in the past and is still happening in the present. It is also known as the present perfect progressive tense because the action continues from the past into the present moment.

Definition

This tense is used when we talk about an action that began some time ago and is still in progress. The Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines it as a tense that expresses an action that started in the past and is still happening or has just recently stopped.

Formula of the Present Perfect Continuous Tense

This tense follows a specific pattern:

Subject + have/has + been + verb (ing) + the rest of the sentence

This tense can be used in different types of sentences: positive, negative, interrogative, and negative interrogative.

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Structure of Tense

Type	Structure
Positive	Subject + have/has + been + verb (ing) + the rest of the sentence
Negative	Subject + have/has + not + been + verb (ing) + the rest of the sentence
Interrogative	Have/has + subject + been + verb (ing) + the rest of the sentence?
Negative Interrogative	Have/has + subject + not + been + verb (ing) + the rest of the sentence?

Examples:

I have been studying for my exams for three hours.
She has been waiting for the bus since morning.
They have not been working on the project for long.
Have you been reading this book all day?
Hasn’t he been exercising daily?

Important Points to Remember

This tense always includes “have” or “has,” followed by “been” and the present participle (verb + ing).
Use ‘has’ with singular subjects (he, she, it, or a singular noun) and ‘have’ with plural subjects (I, you, we, they, or plural nouns).
This tense shows that an action started in the past and continues in the present or has just recently stopped.

Uses of the Present Perfect Continuous Tense

This tense is used in the following situations:

To Show an Ongoing Action

This tense is used when an action started in the past and is still happening.

He has been learning Spanish for two months.
They have been playing football since morning.
She has been working in this office for five years.

To Indicate a Recently Completed Action

It can be used when an action that started in the past has just stopped.

I have been running for an hour, and now I am tired.
She has been cooking all afternoon, and the meal is ready.
They have been painting the house, and now it looks new.

To Talk About Temporary or Repeated Actions

It also describes habits or temporary actions that are still happening.

He has been staying with his grandparents for the summer.
We have been visiting the park every evening.
She has been going to dance classes regularly.

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Present Perfect Continuous Tense vs. Present Perfect Tense

Many learners confuse the present perfect continuous tense with the present perfect tense. The table below explains the difference:

Present Perfect Tense	Present Perfect Continuous Tense
Describes actions that happened at an unspecified time in the past.	Describes actions that started in the past and are still happening.
Example: I have finished my homework.	Example: I have been doing my homework for two hours.
Focuses on the result of the action.	Focuses on the duration of the action.

More Examples

Pronouns/Nouns	Examples
I	I have been reading this book for a week.
You	You have been practicing guitar for hours.
We	We have been organizing the event for days.
He	He has been jogging since morning.
She	She has been waiting for you for an hour.
They	They have been traveling around the country.
The dog	The dog has been barking all night.
My friends	My friends have been playing video games.

Exercise: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences using the present perfect continuous tense.

I __________ (study) English for three years.
She __________ (wait) for the bus for 30 minutes.
They __________ (work) on this project since last week.
We __________ (play) football in the park.
_______ you __________ (watch) this movie for a long time?
He __________ (not/sleep) well lately.
The baby __________ (cry) for hours.
______ she __________ (learn) French?
I __________ (exercise) every morning.
My parents __________ (travel) for the past two days.

Answers

I have been studying English for three years.
She has been waiting for the bus for 30 minutes.
They have been working on this project since last week.
We have been playing football in the park.
Have you been watching this movie for a long time?
He has not been sleeping well lately.
The baby has been crying for hours.
Has she been learning French?
I have been exercising every morning.
My parents have been traveling for the past two days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the present perfect continuous tense?

This tense is used to describe an action that started in the past and is still continuing.

Q2. What is the structure of the present perfect continuous tense?

The formula is: Subject + have/has + been + verb (ing) + the rest of the sentence

Q3. What are some common uses of the present perfect continuous tense?

Showing an action that started in the past and is still happening.
Indicating an action that has just stopped.
Talking about temporary or habitual actions.

Q4. How is the present perfect continuous tense different from the present perfect tense?

The present perfect tense talks about completed actions, while the present perfect continuous tense focuses on ongoing actions.

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