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The “present perfect continuous tense” is used to show something that began happening not long ago and is still going on now. Some people call it the “present perfect progressive tense” because the action keeps going from the past up to now.
Definition of the Present Perfect Continuous Tense
The ‘present perfect continuous tense,’ according to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, is when we use words to ‘talk about something that started happening in the past and is still happening now or just finished.’
Also Check: Simple Present Tense
Formula and Structure of the Present Perfect Continuous Tense
| Subject + have/has + been + present participle (verb+ing) + the rest of the sentence |
| Positive | Negative | Interrogative | Negative Interrogative |
| Subject + have/has + been + present participle + the rest of the sentence | Subject + have/has + not + been + present participle + the rest of the sentence | Have/has + subject + been + present participle + the rest of the sentence | Have/has + subject + not + been + present participle + the rest of the sentence
(or) Haven’t / hasn’t + subject + been + present participle + the rest of the sentence |
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Some Points When Using the Present Perfect Continuous Tense
The present perfect continuous tense is a bit like the present perfect tense. It’s built with two helping verbs and a main verb, but there’s a small difference. Instead of using just ‘have’ or ‘has’ with a main verb in the past participle form, thi tense uses ‘have’ or ‘has’ along with ‘been’, plus a main verb in its ‘ing’ form.
So, you’ll have something like “have been + verb-ing.” Also, just like in the present perfect tense, remember that ‘have’ and ‘has’ change depending on who or what the sentence is about.
Also Check: Present Continuous Tense
Uses of the Present Perfect Continuous Tense
The present perfect continuous tense has a few uses:
- It shows something that started in the past and is still going on now.
- It talks about something that just finished after going on for a while in the past.
- It describes things that happened regularly in the past and are still happening now.
Examples of the Present Perfect Continuous Tense
Check out this table below that shows how we use the present perfect continuous tense in various ways with different pronouns and nouns.
| Pronouns / Nouns | Examples |
| I | I have been working as a teacher for two years. |
| You | You have been working as a Teacher for two years. |
| We | We have been working as Teacher for two years. |
| He | He has been working as a teacher for two years. |
| She | She has been working as a Teacher for two years. |
| They | They have been working as Teacher for two years. |
| It | It has been raining for a week now. |
| Singular noun | Ankit has been working as a doctor for two years. |
| Plural noun | Karan and Manogna have been working as Writer for two years. |
Differences Between Present Perfect Continuous Tense & Present Perfect Tense
| Present Perfect Tense | Present Perfect Continuous Tense |
| The present perfect tense is used to represent actions or events that have started and completed in the recent past and still have its effect in the present. | The present perfect continuous tense, on the other hand, is used to depict an action or event that started in the recent past and is still continuing at the time when the speaker is referring to it. |
| For example: Preethi has worked as an English teacher for two years. | For example: Preethi has been working as an English teacher for two years. |
| The above sentence means that Preethi has worked as a teacher for two years and works or does not work as a teacher anymore. | The above sentence means that Preethi has been working as a teacher for two years and is still working as a teacher now. |
Present Perfect Continuous Tense FAQs
What is present perfect continuous tense with examples?
Present perfect continuous tense shows an action that started in the past, continues into the present, and might continue in the future. Example: She has been studying for three hours.
What is present perfect tense present continuous?
Present perfect tense talks about actions completed at an indefinite time in the past, while present continuous discusses ongoing actions happening now. Example: He has written the report (present perfect) and is writing another (present continuous).
What is the perfect progressive tense?
Perfect progressive tense shows actions that were ongoing in the past and may still be continuing in the present. Example: They have been playing football for two hours.
How do you change the voice of the present perfect continuous tense?
The voice of the present perfect continuous tense can be changed by altering the subject and using appropriate auxiliary verbs. Example: The cake has been being baked by her.
What is a 10 sentence for present continuous tense?
She is cooking dinner. They are playing basketball. I am reading a book. He is writing an email. The dog is barking loudly. They are studying for exams. She is dancing in the room. He is painting a picture. We are watching a movie. The kids are playing outside.
What is the present perfect of continuous tense?
Present perfect continuous tense indicates an action that started in the past and continues into the present. Example: She has been singing for an hour.
What is present simple continuous perfect tenses?
Present simple tense talks about regular actions, present continuous discusses ongoing actions, and present perfect tense shows actions completed in the past with relevance to the present. Example: Present simple: He reads books. Present continuous: He is reading a book. Present perfect: He has read that book.
