Mastering the Present Perfect Continuous Tense: A Complete Guide for Fluent English
The Present Perfect Continuous tense is one of the most useful tenses in English. It helps us describe actions that started in the past and are still continuing or have recently stopped, often emphasizing the duration of the activity.
In this blog, you will learn the form, usage, negatives, questions, and how it differs from the Present Continuous tense — all explained clearly for easy understanding and better speaking skills.
What is the Present Perfect Continuous Tense?
The Present Perfect Continuous tense shows actions or events that started in the past and are still happening now or just finished recently. It also highlights the duration of these actions.
Forming the Present Perfect Continuous Tense
The structure is simple:
Affirmative Form
Have / Has + been + verb (ing form)
Examples:
I have been walking.
She has been crying.
Note: For third person singular, always use has been + verb-ing.
Example:
He has been working.
Contracted Forms
‘ve been + verb-ing (I’ve been working)
‘s been + verb-ing (She’s been crying)
Negative Form
Have / Has not been + verb-ing
Examples:
They have not been writing.
She has not been waiting.
Negative Contracted Forms
haven’t been + verb-ing (They haven’t been writing)
hasn’t been + verb-ing (She hasn’t been waiting)
Questions
Have / Has + subject + been + verb-ing?
Examples:
Have you been playing basketball?
Has he been practicing English?
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When to Use the Present Perfect Continuous Tense
1. To Describe Unfinished Actions That Started in the Past and Continue Now
Example:
I’ve been working out in the gym for two hours.
It has been raining all day.
2. To Describe Repeated Actions Over a Period Until Now
Example:
They have been writing this script for weeks.
She has been calling you many times.
3. With for and since to Indicate Duration
Examples:
Peter has been talking on the phone since morning.
We’ve been standing here for ages.
4. To Ask “How long…?”
Examples:
How long have you been learning English?
How long has she been waiting here?
Examples of Present Perfect Continuous in Sentences
They have been writing this script.
They haven’t been writing this script.
I’ve been playing basketball since I was a child.
You’ve been waiting here since 5 o’clock.
Negative Sentences
She hasn’t been waiting here since 5 o’clock.
You haven’t been attending classes.
It hasn’t been raining all day.
They haven’t been speaking to me.
Questions Using Present Perfect Continuous
Has she been waiting here since 5 o’clock?
Has Peter been talking on the phone since morning?
Have you been playing basketball since you were a child?
How long have they been bothering you?
Important Note: State Verbs with Present Perfect Continuous
For state or non-action verbs like know, be, have, use the Present Perfect Simple NOT the Present Perfect Continuous:
Correct: I’ve known her for ages.
Incorrect: I’ve been knowing her for ages.
Correct: She’s had a car since 2015.
Incorrect: She’s been having a car since 2015.
Present Perfect Continuous vs Present Continuous
Final Thoughts
The Present Perfect Continuous tense is essential to talk about ongoing or recently finished actions, focusing on the duration or repetition of those actions. Remember to use have/has been + verb-ing, and always pair it correctly with time expressions like for and since. Avoid using it with state verbs—use the Present Perfect Simple instead.
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