Have you been looking for information regarding the present perfect continuous tense? In this article, you will find all that you need to know about the present perfect continuous tense. The meaning, definition, formula and uses of the present perfect continuous tense are discussed along with examples so that you understand perfectly well how to use the present perfect continuous tense of the verb.
Table of Contents
- What Is the Present Perfect Continuous Tense?
- Formula and Structure of the Present Perfect Continuous Tense
- Points to be Remembered When Using the Present Perfect Continuous Tense
- The Present Perfect Continuous Tense – Uses
- Examples of the Present Perfect Continuous Tense
- Present Perfect Continuous Tense Vs Present Perfect Tense
- Test Your Understanding of the Present Perfect Continuous Tense
- Frequently Asked Questions on the Present Perfect Continuous Tense
What Is the Present Perfect Continuous Tense?
The present perfect continuous tense is employed in a sentence to indicate an action that started in the recent past and is still continuing in the present. It is also referred to as the present perfect progressive tense as the action progresses from the past to the present.
Definition of the Present Perfect Continuous Tense
The Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines the ‘present perfect continuous tense’ as a tense that is used to ‘talk about an action or activity that started in the past and continues now or has only just stopped’.
Formula and Structure of the Present Perfect Continuous Tense
The present perfect continuous tense can be formed by following the formula given below.
| Subject + have/has + been + present participle (verb+ing) + the rest of the sentence |
Like every other tense, the sentence structure of the present perfect continuous tense can be analysed in its positive, negative, interrogative and negative interrogative kinds of sentences.
| Positive | Negative | Interrogative | Negative Interrogative |
| Subject + have/has + been + present participle + the rest of the sentence | Subject + have/has + not + been + present participle + the rest of the sentence | Have/has + subject + been + present participle + the rest of the sentence | Have/has + subject + not + been + present participle + the rest of the sentence
(or) Haven’t / hasn’t + subject + been + present participle + the rest of the sentence |
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Points to be Remembered When Using the Present Perfect Continuous Tense
Similar to the present perfect tense, the present perfect continuous tense also consists of helping verbs and main verbs. The only difference is that instead of one helping verb and one main verb in the past participle form, the present perfect continuous tense uses two helping verbs and a main verb in the present participle form. The helping verbs used are ‘have’ or ‘has’ along with ‘been’. These verbs are followed by the present participle of the main verb, which is formed by adding an ‘ing’ to the base verb.
The other fact that you should remember is that, like the present perfect tense, the helping verbs ‘have’ and ‘has’ are used in accordance with the pronoun or noun used in the sentence.
The Present Perfect Continuous Tense – Uses
The present perfect continuous tense can be used for the following reasons:
- It can be used to represent the progress of an unfinished action that started in the past until now.
- It can be used to depict a finished action that started in the past and just stopped recently.
- It can also be used to denote a temporary or habitual action that started in the past and continues in the present.
Examples of the Present Perfect Continuous Tense
Take a look at the following table of examples to see how the present perfect continuous tense is used differently with different pronouns and nouns.
| Pronouns / Nouns | Examples |
| I | I have been working as a doctor for two years. |
| You | You have been working as a doctor for two years. |
| We | We have been working as doctors for two years. |
| He | He has been working as a doctor for two years. |
| She | She has been working as a doctor for two years. |
| They | They have been working as doctors for two years. |
| It | It has been raining for a week now. |
| Singular noun | Firoz has been working as a doctor for two years. |
| Plural noun | Manoj and Dheeraj have been working as doctors for two years. |
Present Perfect Continuous Tense Vs Present Perfect Tense
Most English language learners have a dilemma when it comes to choosing between the present perfect tense and the present perfect continuous tense. You can do away with this confusion if you understand the difference between the two and the situations in which they are used. Check out the table given below to learn more.
| Present Perfect Tense | Present Perfect Continuous Tense |
| The present perfect tense is used to represent actions or events that have started and completed in the recent past and still have its effect in the present. | The present perfect continuous tense, on the other hand, is used to depict an action or event that started in the recent past and is still continuing at the time when the speaker is referring to it. |
| For example: Preethi has worked as an English teacher for two years. | For example: Preethi has been working as an English teacher for two years. |
| The above sentence means that Preethi has worked as a teacher for two years and works or does not work as a teacher anymore. | The above sentence means that Preethi has been working as a teacher for two years and is still working as a teacher now. |
Test Your Understanding of the Present Perfect Continuous Tense
Fill in the blanks with the present perfect continuous form of the verb in the following sentences:
1. I ____________ (watch) this movie for two hours.
2. Sam ____________ (ask) for you.
3. Indrajith ___________ (dance) all day.
4. Joji and Shaji _____________ (plan) to go to Hyderabad next week.
5. _______ you ____________ (look) for this bag?
6. I ________________ (work out – negative) for two months now.
7. Cherina ______________ (work) on this essay for a week.
8. ____________ he ______________ (try) to get into Jawaharlal Nehru University? Is there any progress?
9. They _______________ (practise) for the farewell programme.
10. Manu ________________ (think) of sending in his resignation letter.
Find out if you have used the right form of the verb by checking the answers given below.
1. I have been watching this movie for two hours.
2. Sam has been asking for you.
3. Indrajith has been dancing all day.
4. Joji and Shaji have been planning to go to Hyderabad next week.
5. Have you been looking for this bag?
6. I have not been working out for two months now.
7. Cherina has been working on this essay for a week.
8. Hasn’t he been trying to get into Jawaharlal Nehru University? Is there any progress?
9. They have been practising for the farewell programme.
10. Manu has been thinking of sending in his resignation letter.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Present Perfect Continuous Tense
What is the present perfect continuous tense?
The present perfect continuous tense is employed in a sentence to indicate an action that started in the recent past and is still continuing in the present. It is also referred to as the present perfect progressive tense as the action progresses from the past to the present.
What are the rules to be followed when using the present perfect continuous tense?
The points to be kept in mind when using the present perfect continuous tense is as follows:
- The present perfect continuous tense uses two helping verbs and a main verb in the present participle form. The helping verbs used are ‘have’ or ‘has’ along with ‘been’. These verbs are followed by the present participle of the main verb, which is formed by adding an ‘ing’ to the base verb.
- The other point that you should remember is that, like the present perfect tense, the helping verbs ‘have’ and ‘has’ are used in accordance with the pronoun or noun used in the sentence.
What is the formula of the present perfect continuous tense?
The present perfect continuous tense can be formed by following the formula given below.
Subject + have/has + been + present participle (verb+ing) + the rest of the sentence
What are the uses of the present perfect continuous tense?
The present perfect continuous tense can be used for the following reasons:
- It can be used to represent the progress of an unfinished action that started in the past until now.
- It can be used to depict a finished action that started in the past and just stopped recently.
- It can also be used to denote a temporary or habitual action that started in the past and continues in the present.
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