English Basics

Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Present Perfect Continuous Tense

This tense express an action that started in past and continued to present or recently stopped. It is used to state an ongoing action that has started at a point in the past. A time-reference is also used in the sentence to show that when the action started in past or for how long the action continued.

The specific words ‘since’ and ‘for’ are used in sentence to show the time of action. The word ‘Since’ is used if the exact starting time (e.g. since Monday, since 3 P.M) of action is known or intended to be reflected in the sentence. The word ‘for’ is used to express the amount of time (e.g. for three hours, for six months) for which the action was continued.

⇒ Structure of Sentence

Main verb: Present Participle (Base form + ing) e.g. going, eating.
Auxiliary verb: Have been, Has been

Note: If the subject of sentence is “She, he, it, or a singular noun”,  the auxiliary verb “has been” is used. If the subject of sentence is “they, you, or a plural noun”, the auxiliary verb “have been” is used.

Positive Sentences

→ Subject + Auxiliary verb + Main verb + Time-reference
→ Subject + Have been / Has been + Present Participle (verb+ing) + Time-reference

Examples:

  • He has been living in Multan since 1993.
  • She has been working in an organization since 2005.
  • He has been studying this book for three months.
  • She has been listening to music for two hours.
  • I have been watching the movie since 3 O’clock.
  • They have been waiting for me for 5 hours.
  • He has been teaching in this school for three years.
  • They have been using their car for five years.
  • He has been playing cricket for three hours.
  • She has been writing for a newspaper since 25th January 2001.
  • He has been sleeping for five hours.

Negative Sentences

→ Subject + Auxiliary verb + Main verb + Time-reference
→ Subject + Have not been / Has not been + Present Participle (verb+ing) + Time-reference

Examples:

  • He has not been working in factor since 2007.
  • She has not been studying her books for five days.
  • They have not been coming to office since January 2012.
  • I have not been sleeping for three days.
  • He has not been watching television since Saturday.
  • She has not been feeding her kids since 9 O’clock.
  • I have not been meeting him since 2009.
  • They have not been completing their work since Monday.
  • Kids have not playing games for five hours.
  • You have not been attending your lectures since 13th June.

Interrogative Sentences

→ Has/Have +Subject + Been + Present Participle (verb+ing) + Time-reference

Examples:

  • Have you been going to your college since 2012?
  • Has he been working as a teacher for three years?
  • Has she been writing the report since 7th August 2011?
  • Have they been making a noise for one hour?
  • Have they been watching the same movie for seven days?
  • Has he been using his car for three years?
  • Has she been studying for the exam since February 2013?
  • Have I been wasting my time for three days?
  • Have you been helping them for four years?
  • Has your father been teaching you since 2002?

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