Present Perfect Continuous
FORM
[has/have + been + present participle]
Examples:
- Affirmative: You have been waiting here for two hours.
- Negative: You have not been waiting here for two hours.
- Interrogative: Have you been waiting here for two hours?
| Affirmative |
Negative |
Interrogative |
I have been sleeping.
You have been sleeping.
We have been sleeping.
They have been sleeping.
He has been sleeping.
She has been sleeping.
It has been sleeping.
|
I have not been sleeping.
You have not been sleeping.
We have not been sleeping.
They have not been sleeping.
He has not been sleeping.
She has not been sleeping.
It has not been sleeping.
|
Have I been sleeping?
Have you been sleeping?
Have we been sleeping?
Have they been sleeping?
Has he been sleeping?
Has she been sleeping?
Has it been sleeping?
|
Duration from the Past Until Now
We use the Present Perfect Continuous to show that something started in the past
and has continued up until now. "For five minutes," "for two weeks," and "since
Tuesday" are all durations which can be used with the Present Perfect
Continuous.
Examples:
- They have been talking for the last hour.
- She has been working at that company for three years.
- What have you been doing for the last 30
minutes?
- James has been teaching at the university since June.
- We have been waiting here for over two hours!
- Why has Nancy not been taking her medicine for
the last three days?
Recently, Lately
You can also use the Present Perfect Continuous WITHOUT a duration such as "for
two weeks." Without the duration, the tense has a more general meaning of
"lately." We often use the words "lately" or "recently" to emphasize this
meaning.
Examples:
- Recently, I have been feeling really tired.
- She has been watching too much television lately.
- Have you been exercising lately?
- Mary has been feeling a little depressed.
- Lisa has not been practicing her English.
- What have you been doing?
IMPORTANT
Remember that the Present Perfect Continuous has the meaning of "lately" or
"recently." If you use the Present Perfect Continuous in a question such as
"Have you been feeling alright?", it can suggest that the person looks sick or
unhealthy. A question such as "Have you been smoking?" can suggest that you
smell the smoke on the person. Using this tense in a question suggests you can
see, smell, hear or feel the results of the action. It is possible to insult
someone by using this tense incorrectly.
REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs/ Mixed Verbs
It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs
cannot be used in any continuous tenses. Also, certain non-continuous meanings
for Mixed Verbs cannot be used in continuous tenses. Instead of using Present Perfect Continuous
with these verbs, you must use Present
Perfect.
Examples:
- Sam has been having his car for two years.
Not Correct
- Sam has had his car for two years. Correct
ADVERB PLACEMENT
The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only,
never, ever, still, just, etc.
Examples:
- You have only been waiting here for one hour.
- Have you only been waiting here for one hour?
ACTIVE / PASSIVE
Examples:
- Recently, John has been doing the work.
- Recently, the work has been being done by John.
NOTE: Present Perfect Continuous is less commonly used in its passive form.
