Present Perfect Continuous Tense| Use, Rules, Formula, Examples

Present Perfect Continuous Tense can be explained as that type of present tense in which a verb is used to represent actions that have either during past or present time but are still in progress/continuous phase during present time. It means that actions that have a long time ago but still not completed, can be expressed in Present Perfect Continuous Tense.

Rules to form Present Perfect Continuous Tense Sentences.

To form Present Perfect Continuous Tense Sentences, follow the following rules.

• First, write the Subject of the action that has started either during the past or present time, but still going on during the present time.
• Then, write the helping verb “has been/have been”, according to the Singular & Plural Number of Nouns and Pronouns.
• Then, write the 1st Verb with the addition of “ing”.
• Then, write the Object on which the action is performed.
• Then, write the remaining words if there are any.

Helping Verbs of Present Perfect Continuous Tense

The following 2 helping Verbs are used in Present Perfect Continuous Tense Sentences to show the actions that are started either during the past time or during the present time but still going on in the present time.

• Has been
• Have been

“Has Been” As Helping Verb in Present Perfect Continuous Tense

“Has been” is used as a helping verb in the Present Perfect Continuous Tense with Singular Number Nouns and Pronouns(He, She, It). Thus, Present Perfect Continuous Tense Sentences with “has been” as a helping verb have the following Sentence Structure formula.

He/She/It/Singular Nouns+ has+ been+ 1st Verb+ ing+ Object+ Remaining Words

“Have Been” As Helping Verb in Present Perfect ContinuousTense

“Have been” is used as a helping verb in Present Perfect Continuous Tense Sentences with Plural Number Nouns and Pronouns(I, We, You, They). Thus, Present Perfect Continuous Tense Sentences with “Have been” as helping verb have the following Sentence Structural formula.

I/We/You/They/Plural Nouns+have+been+1st Verb+ing+Object+Remaining Words

Sentence Structure of Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Assertive, Negative, Interrogative, and Negative-Interrogative Sentences of Present Perfect Continuous Tense have the following Sentence Structural formula.

Assertive Sentence Structure of Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Assertive Sentences of Present Perfect Continuous Tense uses “has been/have been” as a helping verb with 1st Verb, and with the addition of “ing” to the 1st Verb. Thus, Assertive Sentences of Present Perfect Continuous Tense have the following Sentence Structure formula.

He/She/It/Singular Nouns+has+been+1st Verb+ing+Object+Remaining Words

Examples of Assertive Sentence Structure of Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Following are some examples of Assertive Sentences of Present Perfect Continuous Tense.

1. I have been studying for my exams all week.
2. We have been working at that company for over five years.
3. You have been building your dream house since last year.
4. They have been waiting for the bus for thirty minutes.
5. He has been learning to play the guitar for the past few months.
6. She has been cooking dinner for the family all afternoon.
7. The team has been practicing every day before the competition.
8. She has been reading that book since last weekend.
9. They have been traveling around Europe for the last two months.
10. We have been discussing our project plan for the entire meeting.

Negative Sentence Structure of Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Negative Sentences of Present Perfect Continuous Tense takes “not” between helping verbs “has/have” and “been”, to show the negative nature of progressing actions that have started either during past or present time, but still going on during the present time. Thus, Negative Sentences of Present Perfect Continuous Tense have the following Sentence Structural formula.

I/We/You/They/He/She/It/Singular & Plural Nouns+has/have+not+been+1st Verb+ing+Object+Remaining Words

Examples of Negative Sentence Structure of Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Following are some examples of Negative Sentences of Present Perfect Continuous Tense.

1. I have not been writing my novel for several months.
2. We have not been jogging in the park every morning.
3. You have not been fixing the car all day.
4. They have not been watching that TV series for weeks.
5. He has not been practicing his speech for tomorrow’s presentation.
6. She has not been learning French for the last six months.
7. The kids have not been playing outside since early this morning.
8. She has not been working on her art project for the entire afternoon.
9. They have not been preparing for the conference for a few weeks.
10. We have not been discussing the new policy for the past hour.

Interrogative Sentence Structure of Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Interrogative Sentences of Present Perfect Continuous Tense uses “has/have” as a helping verb at the start of Sentences to show the interrogative/questionable nature of the actions that have started either during the past or present time, but still in the progressing phase during the present time. Thus, Interrogative Sentences of Present Perfect Continuous Tense Sentences have the following Sentence Structural formula.

Has/have+ He/she/it/I/We/You/They/Singular & Plural Nouns+been+1st Verb+ing+Object+Remaining Words+?

Examples of Interrogative Sentence Structure of Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Following are some examples of Interrogative Sentences of Present Perfect Continuous Tense.

1. Have I been traveling around Asia for the past year?
2. Have we been trying to reach you all day?
3. Have you been renovating your house since the beginning of the summer?
4. Have they been exploring new recipes for their restaurant menu?
5. Has he been training for the marathon for several months?
6. Has she been working on that project for quite a while now?
7. Has the team been researching solutions to the problem?
8. Have I been organizing my closet to make more space?
9. Has she been volunteering at the local shelter every weekend?
10. Have they been practicing their dance routine for the upcoming performance?

Negative-Interrogative Sentence Structure of Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Negative-interrogative sentences of Present Perfect Continuous Tense is used to indicate the negative nature of interrogative sentences of actions that are started during past or present time, and still going on during the present time. Thus, Negative-Interrogative Sentences of Present Perfect Continuous Tense have the following Sentence Structural formula.

Has/have+He/She/It/I/We/You/They/Singular & Plural Nouns+not+been+1st Verb+ing+Object+Remaining Words+?

Examples of Negative-Interrogative Sentence Structure of Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Following are some examples of Negative-Interrogative Sentences of Present Perfect Continuous Tense.

1. Have I not been reading that book for hours?
2. Have we not been writing our thesis since last summer?
3. Have you not been building the new playground for several months?
4. Have they not been trying to fix the computer all morning?
5. Has he not been learning how to cook different cuisines recently?
6. Has she not been working out at the gym three times a week?
7. Have the kids not been playing video games all afternoon?
8. Has she not been knitting a sweater for her friend?
9. Have they not been discussing their vacation plans for the past few days?
10. Have we not been planning our wedding for the last year?