Present Perfect progressive
Usually, Present Perfect Continuous Tense is used for a situation that has occurred in the past and which continues until that moment.
Structure: has/have + been + present participle
· Use the first form of the verb + " - ing"
· Singular subject (has been), Plural subject or I (have been)
· 'Since' - if the point of time is mentioned.
· 'For' - if the duration of time is specified.
Positive, negative, question forms:
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Positive |
Negative |
Question |
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I have (I've) been living here for two years. |
I have not (haven't) been waiting for long. |
Have you been living here for a long time? |
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He has (he's) been waiting for you. |
He has not (hasn't) been working. |
What has she been doing? |
Present Continous - Common Mistakes:
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Common mistakes |
Correct version |
Why? |
|
|
It has been raining heavily all day. |
The structure of the present perfect continuous is have/has been -ing.
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I have been sitting here for two hours. |
Verbs such as sit, wait, speak, etc. (non-stative verbs) suggest continuity and so are mostly used in the continuous (-ing) form. |
Different Usages:
1. 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.
2. 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.
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.
3. 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?
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