Present Perfect Continuous

When to use the present perfect continuous?

You need to use the present perfect continuous to provide more details about the duration of actions. It is like answering questions related to (how long).

How to use the present perfect continuous?

You need to use (has/ have + been + verb-ing). Let’s have a look at the present perfect continuous rules:

With the use of (has): 

He + has been + verb-ing + object

She + has been + verb-ing + object

It + has been + verb-ing + object

With the use of (have):

I + have been + verb-ing + object

They + have been + verb-ing + object

We + have been + verb-ing + object

You + have been + verb-ing + object

Examples:

I have been working for three hours.

They have been renovating the house since June.

Explanation: 

Both of these sentence explain some ongoing actions using (for & since).

Examples:

He has been studying the whole day, so it is time for him to take some break.

They have been cleaning the garage, that’s why they are covered in dust.

Explanation:

Both of these sentences describe finished actions.

Examples:

I have been going to the gym for almost every weekend.

She has been working from home these two weeks.

Explanation:

Both of these sentences describe repeated actions.

Examples: 

She has been cleaning the room but still has not finished.

He has been repairing the car but still has not completed.

Explanation:

Both of these sentences describe unfinished actions.

How to form questions using the present perfect continuous? 

To form present perfect continuous questions, you need to start the question with:

Have + (I, we, they, you) + been + verb-ing + object?

Has + (he, she, it) + been + verb-ing + object?

Let’s have a look at the following present perfect continuous sentences to learn more about the structure:

Examples:

Have you been taking piano lessons?

Has she been attending all the meetings?

Have they been working hard to complete the project on time?

Has he been organizing the files in the office?

How to form negative sentences using the present perfect continuous?

To create present perfect negative sentences, you need to add (not) after (has  & have). Let’s have a look at the following examples of present perfect continuous to learn more about the negative form.

Subject + has not/ have not + been + verb-ing + object

Examples: 

He has not been going to the gym lately.

She has not been organizing her files well.

They have not been studying for 2 hours.

She is not tired because she has not been running.

You must be hungry as you have not eaten your lunch.

*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 use of the present perfect continuous or if you have any suggestions for the upcoming topics. Yesterday, I explained another English grammar topic here so feel free to check it 🙂 Also, if you need a private discussion or lessons, email me 🙂

Have a great day & take care!