When to use the present perfect and continuous?
You need to use the present perfect and continuous in both parts of the sentence when describing the duration of the action. Meaning that, use the present perfect to focus on the result (up to now) and use the present perfect continuous to speak about the duration of the process.
Let’s have a look at the following examples to understand how you can use the present perfect and present perfect continuous in one sentence:
Example:
He has completed the project, and he has been working on the project for almost a week.
Explanation:
The sentence shows the result that he finished the project after a week. So, the first part of the sentence (has completed) is the result. The second part (has been working) shows the duration of the process.
Example:
I have learned a lot because I have been taking extra classes.
Explanation:
With the use of the present perfect (have learned), it shows the result and the second part (present perfect continuous – have been taking) shows the process.
*The purpose of using present perfect with present perfect continuous is to emphasize and provide more depth details on the meaning of the sentence. It is always better if you provide more information instead of using just one tense in a time!
Let’s break the above sentence into two parts to see if the meaning of each part is complete or both parts must be combined for the meaning to be completed:
I have learned a lot because I have been taking extra classes.
I have learned a lot. (about what?) 👉 Present perfect
I have been taking extra classes. (in what) 👉 present perfect continuous.
*By looking at these two parts, the meaning in each of them is not clear as there seems to be something missing, and therefore, it is better to connect these two parts for the meaning to be completed.
How to form questions using the present perfect and continuous?
You need to start the question with either (have or has) depending on the subject. If the subject is (he, she, it), used (has) and if the subject is (I, they, we, you), use (have). Let’s have a look at the following present perfect and continuous examples to learn more about the idea:
Example:
Have they been learning French? Have they become fluent?
Explanation:
The first part uses (present perfect continuous) to ask about the duration of the progress, and the second part uses (present perfect) to ask about the result.
Examples:
Has he been cleaning his room? Has he finished tidying up everything in the room?
Has she been working on the project? Has she finished the first draft?
Have you been practicing for the competition? Have you improved?
How to form negative sentences using the present perfect and continuous?
You need to add (not) after (have & has) as shown below in the following examples to learn more about the present perfect and continuous structure:
I have not finished the final report as I have not been working on it daily.
You have not lost weight because you have not been following a healthy diet.
He has not found a new flat because he has not been taking it seriously.
*You can use the complete form (have not/ has not) or the contraction form (haven’t/ hasn’t), it depends on the person you speak with. Professionally and in formal settings, use the complete form. When speaking informally with family, friends, chatting, etc use the contraction form.
I hope you find this English grammar lesson useful, let me know if you have any questions related to the combination of present perfect and continuous or if you have any suggestions for the upcoming topics. Yesterday, I explained other English grammar topics here so feel free to check it 🙂 Also, if you need a private discussion or lessons, email me 🙂
Have a great day & take care!