Present perfect continuous tense

1. Definition of Present Perfect Continuous Tense

The Present Perfect Continuous Tense is used to describe an action that started in the past and continues in the present, with the possibility of continuing into the future. This tense is often used to talk about actions that have ended but still have an impact on the present.

Examples of Present Perfect Continuous Tense

2. Structure of Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Where:

• S (subject): Subject
• Have/Has: Auxiliary verb
• Been: Past participle of "to be"
• V-ing: Verb with "ing" ending

✎ Note:

• For subjects I/We/You/They, use "have".
• For subjects He/She/It, use "has".

2.1. Affirmative Sentences

S + have/has + been + V-ing

✎ Note: "been" always follows "have" or "has".

Examples:

• I have been studying at this school for 3 years.
• She has been playing sports for a month.

2.2. Negative Sentences

S + have/has + not + been + V-ing

✎ Note: For negative sentences, add "not" immediately after "have/has".

• haven't = have not
• hasn't = has not

Examples:

• I haven't been playing basketball for 5 years.
• He hasn't been playing games with me in a year.

2.3. Interrogative Sentences

Have/Has + S + been + V-ing ?

Responses:

• Yes, I/we/you/they + have.
• Yes, he/she/it + has.
• No, I/we/you/they + haven't.
• No, he/she/it + hasn't.

✎ Note:

• In interrogative sentences, move "have/has" to the beginning of the sentence.
• Questions with "what, how, when, why,..." follow the structure: Wh-word + have/has + S + been + V-ing ? (e.g., What have you been doing here for 2 hours?)

Examples:

• Have you been studying here for 1 hour yet?
• Has he been playing chess for a month?

3. Uses of Present Perfect Continuous Tense

➢ Describes an action that started in the past, continues in the present, and may continue into the future (emphasizing continuity).

Example:

I 've been working for 3 hours.

=> The action started 3 hours ago (in the past) and is still ongoing.

➢ Describes an action that has ended in the past but its result is still evident in the present.

Example:

Now I am very tired because I have been working hard for 8 hours.

=> The action of "working hard for 8 hours" has ended, resulting in "I am very tired".

4. Signal Words for Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Common signal words for the Present Perfect Continuous Tense include: all day, all week, since, for, for a long time, in the past week, recently, lately, up until now, so far, almost every day this week, in recent years,…

Specific examples:

1. Since + point in time

Examples:

• We have been working since early morning.
• I haven’t been eating properly since my mom left.
• My dad hasn’t been feeling well since 3 months ago.

2. For + period of time

Examples:

• He has been listening to the radio for 6 hours.
• We have been being together for 10 years.
• They have been playing jazz for 8 hours.

3. All + time period (all the morning, all the afternoon, all day,…)

Examples:

• He has been working in the field all the morning.
• My mom has been scolding me all day.
• I have been typing the report all the afternoon.