English Grammar Study

Present Perfect Continuous Tense in English

Tenses

What is the present perfect continuous tense?

The present perfect continuous tense is a verb tense used to describe a temporary action that started in the past and is still ongoing in the present.

Examples:

  1. He has been feeling ill for a few days.
  2. She has been baking a cake for an hour.
  3. I have been fishing at the lake all day.
  4. We have been studying English for months.
  5. They have been working out at the gym for an hour.

Present Perfect Continuous Tense

present perfect continuous tense

Present Perfect Continuous Tense Formula

Subject + have/has + been + present participle (Ving) + Object

Type of
Sentences		FormulaSentences
Positive[Subject + have/has + been + Ving + object]I have been studying for my exam.
Negative[Subject + have/has + not + been + Ving + object]I have not been studying for my exams.
Question[Have/has+ subject + been + Ving + object + ?]Have you been studying for your exams?
Negative Interrogative[have/has + subject + not + been + Ving + object + ?]Have you not been studying for your exams?

Present Perfect Continuous Tense Examples

AffirmativeNegativeInterrogative
She has been singing all day.She has not been singing all day.Has she been singing all day?
I have been cooking dinner for two hours.I haven’t been cooking dinner for two hours.Have I been cooking dinner for two hours?
He has been watching TV all morning.He hasn’t been watching TV all morning.Has he been watching TV all morning?
She has been baking a cake for an hour.She hasn’t been baking a cake for an hour.Has she been baking a cake for an hour?
He has been practicing yoga for years.He hasn’t been practicing yoga for years.Has he been practicing yoga for years?

Affirmative Sentences in Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Subject + have/has+ been + present participle of verb + object/complement

  1. He has been writing a screenplay for weeks.
  2. We have been practicing our dancing skills for weeks.
  3. He has been creating videos for months.
  4. She has been going to the gym for months.
  5. I have been using that mobile for a year.
  6. They have been watching movies for an hour.
  7. They have been playing basketball for hours.
  8. We have been doing house chores all day.
  9. She has been designing clothes for years.
  10. They have been building a treehouse for weeks.
  11. We have been studying for the exam for days.
  12. She has been teaching English for years.
  13. He has been writing a report for days.
  14. She has been knitting a sweater for weeks.
  15. She has been training for a marathon for a year.
  16. She has been moving boxes into the storage unit.
  17. We have been bringing books to donate.
  18. She has been writing a novel for months.
  19. He has been providing financial support to his family.
  20. She has been standing in line for hours.

Negative Sentences in Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Subject + have/has+ not + been + present participle of verb + object/complement

  1. I haven’t been moving furniture recently.
  2. He hasn’t been bringing snacks to the party.
  3. I haven’t been writing in my journal lately.
  4. He hasn’t been providing financial support to his family lately.
  5. They haven’t been standing at the bus stop for too long.
  6. We haven’t been paying bills on time recently.
  7. They haven’t been running their business efficiently,
  8. He hasn’t been playing the guitar much recently.
  9. They haven’t been starting their project.
  10. She hasn’t been talking on the phone.
  11. They haven’t been finding a solution to the problem.
  12. He hasn’t been giving me any attention lately.
  13. I haven’t been telling anyone about my plans.
  14. They haven’t been working together effectively.
  15. He hasn’t been calling his friends to hang out lately.
  16. She hasn’t been trying new foods lately.
  17. She hasn’t been asking for help when she needs it.
  18. I haven’t been needing their help recently.
  19. She hasn’t been feeling motivated to exercise.
  20. He hasn’t been becoming more patient despite his efforts.

Interrogative Sentences in Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Have/has + subject + not + been + present participle of verb + object/complement

  1. Have you been studying for your exams regularly?
  2. Has he been attending all of your classes this semester?
  3. Has she been learning new skills on the job?
  4. Have they been reading the latest news articles every day?
  5. Have we been writing any creative stories recently?
  6. Have you been researching any new travel destinations?
  7. Has he been analyzing the plot of any recent movies?
  8. Has she been discussing the current events with your friends?
  9. Have they been participating actively in class discussions?
  10. Have you been presenting any musical performances recently?
  11. Have we been debating any ethical dilemmas recently?
  12. Has he been solving complex problems at work?
  13. Has she been reviewing your notes after class?
  14. Have they been revising the design plans for the building?
  15. Have you been completing all of your assignments on time?
  16. Has he been preparing for your upcoming exams or tests?
  17. Has she been taking notes during the client meetings?
  18. Have you been focusing on your goals and priorities?
  19. Have you been discovering new opportunities creatively?
  20. Have you been analyzing the data carefully?

Exercise of Present Perfect Continuous Tense

  1. They _____________ hard every day. (work)
  2. We _____________ together at the library. (study)
  3. I _____________ dinner for my family. (cook)
  4. We _____________ our dog in the park. (walk)
  5. I _____________ for three hours. (study)
  6. We _____________ for the bus for 30 minutes. (wait)
  7. He _____________ on the phone for hours. (talk)
  8. They _____________ on the project all day. (work)
  9. He _____________ in New York for six months. (live)
  10. She _____________ the piano for two hours. (practice)

Answers:

  1. We have been studying together at the library. (study)
  2. They have been working hard every day. (work)
  3. I have been cooking dinner for my family. (cook)
  4. We have been walking our dog in the park. (walk)
  5. I have been studying for three hours. (study)
  6. We have been waiting for the bus for 30 minutes. (wait)
  7. He has been talking on the phone for hours. (talk)
  8. They have been working on the project all day. (work)
  9. He has been living in New York for six months. (live)
  10. She has been practicing the piano for two hours. (practice)
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