Present Perfect Continuous

Present Perfect Continuous Tense

We use Present Perfect Continuous Tense for action which started in the past and continues to the present.

This tense is also used for actions which have just stopped, but we can see the result and evidence.

Auxiliary verbs “has been” and "have been" are used in this tense.

Note: “Since” or “for” is used before the “time reference”.

For + A period of time (for two days, for three hours, for a month)

Since + A point of time (since morning, since yesterday, since last night, since 8 o'clock)

Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Affirmative Sentences:

  • She has been reading since morning.

  • He has been working on this project since yesterday.

  • It has been raining for two days.

  • They have been waiting for three hours.

  • I have been feeling tired since morning.

  • I have been cooking since morning.

  • She has has been sleeping for two hours.

  • They have been playing since morning.

Negative Sentences:

subject + has not been" or have not been + present participle
  • She has not been watching t.v. for four hours.

  • He has not been living in this house since 2008.

  • I have not been working on computer since yesterday.

  • They have not been waiting for two hours.

  • It has not been raining for two days.

Interrogative Sentences:

has or have + subject + been + present participle
  • Has he been talking to me for three hours?

  • Have they been cooking this food since last night?

  • Have you been learning English for three years?

  • Has he been working here since 1998?

  • Has she been writing a book for two months?

Note: Non-continuous verbs can not be used in any continuous tense. These verbs are stative not action verbs.

See also...

  • 9.1 Present Simple

  • 9.2 Present Perfect

  • 9.3 Present Continuous

  • Present Perfect Continuous

  • Future Simple

  • Future Perfect

  • Future Continuous

  • Future Perfect Continuous

  • Past Simple

  • Past Perfect

  • Past Continuous

  • Past Perfect Continuous