Present Perfect Continuous Tense | English Grammar

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE

Introduction to Present Perfect Continuous Tense

The present perfect continuous tense is used to describe an action that has started in the past and is continued in the present.

For example,

·         I have been yawing all day.

·         Sally and Kate have been roaming around the campus since morning.

·         Joseph has been continuously playing free fire for the past 2 weeks.

·         Have Kelly and Ron been learning new languages?

Note: Has is used when the subject of the verb is third person singular (he, she, it). Have is used when the subject of the verb is first person (I and we), second person (You) or third person plural (They).

Before getting into the depth of how sentences in present continuous tense are formed, we shall discuss dynamic verbs, static verbs and present participles of verbs.

Dynamic Verbs vs Stative Verbs

The term dynamic means in motion. The term static means still, unable to move. Dynamic verbs shows an action or process, while stative verbs describes emotions.

– Dynamic Verbs

Dynamic verbs show an action or process. We use the present participle form of dynamic verb in continuous tenses.

For example,

·         Laura has been working on the project she got last week.

·         Akbar and George have been talking about cars since morning.

– Stative Verbs

Stative verbs describe emotions, thoughts, states and conditions. Stative verbs are used in simple and perfect tenses. They cannot be used in a continuous form.

For example, the following sentences are not grammatically correct.

·         Alex and Paul have been valuing the money that they earned. (Wrong)

·         Alex and Paul value the money that they earned. (Right)

·         Diana has been loving the lace on that dress. (Wrong)

·         Diana loves the lace on that dress. (Right)

·         I have been knowing him for a very long time. (Wrong)

·         I have known him for a very long. (Right)

Here are a few examples of dynamic and static verbs,

Present Participles of Verbs

Present participles of verbs are formed by adding -ing with the base form of verb. Present participles are used in sentences with a continuous tense. For example,

·         Watch becomes watching

·         Write becomes writing

·         Work becomes working

·         Look becomes looking

Forming Sentences in Present Perfect Continuous Tense

In order to form sentences in present perfect continuous tense, we follow the following formats for affirmative sentences, negative sentences and questions.

How To Make Positive Sentences In Present Perfect Continuous Tense?

In order to make positive sentences in present perfect continuous tense, we follow the following format.

Subject + have/has + been + present participle + object (if any)

For example,

·         Ethan has been sleeping all day.

·         Emily has been inspiring everybody at school.

·         I have been doing my work with proper concentration.

How To Make Negative Sentences In Present Perfect Continuous Tense?

In order to make negative sentences in present perfect continuous tense, we follow the following format.

Subject + have/has + not + been + present participle + object (if any)

For example,

·         Jacob has not been feeling well since Monday.

·         Ariana and Smith have not been taking the task seriously.

·         I have not been writing for the newspaper for a very long time.

How To Ask Questions In Present Perfect Continuous Tense?

In order to ask questions in present the perfect continuous tense, we follow the following format.

Have/has + been + subject + present participle + object (if any)

For example,

·         Has Bella been teaching class seven?

·         Have Maya and Jack been going for a walk every evening?

·         Have you been considering this design for your presentation?

·         Have I been changing my mind about that girl after all?