Understanding the Present Perfect Continuous Tense

The present perfect continuous tense is used to describe actions that began in the past and are still continuing in the present. It emphasizes the duration or the ongoing nature of the action. It is also used when the action was happening recently and has a connection to the present moment.

1. Structure of the Present Perfect Continuous Tense

The present perfect continuous tense is formed by using the verb "have" (have/has) + been + the present participle (the "-ing" form of the verb).

Formula:
Subject + have/has + been + present participle

• I have been studying English.

• She has been working at the company for 5 years.

• They have been living in this house since 2010.

Affirmative:
Subject + have/has + been + present participle

• I have been reading.

• She has been practicing piano.

• We have been waiting for you.

Negative:
Subject + have/has + not + been + present participle

• I have not (haven't) been sleeping.

• He has not (hasn't) been feeling well.

• They have not (haven't) been studying.

Question:
Have/Has + subject + been + present participle?

• Have you been working all day?

• Has she been feeling better?

• Have they been studying for the test?

2. When to Use the Present Perfect Continuous Tense

The present perfect continuous tense is used in the following situations:

a) Actions that started in the past and are still continuing

• Example: I have been reading this book for two hours.

• The action started in the past and is still happening.

b) Actions that were happening recently and have a result in the present

• Example: She has been crying, so her eyes are red.

• The action has just finished or is still affecting the present.

c) Emphasizing the duration of an activity or action

• Example: We have been walking for hours.

• The focus is on how long the action has been happening.

3. Examples of the Present Perfect Continuous Tense

• I have been studying all day.
  (I started studying earlier and have been continuing until now.)

• She has been working at that company for 10 years.
  (She started working there 10 years ago and still works there.)

• They have been playing football since morning.
  (They started playing in the morning and are still playing.)

• We have been waiting for the bus for 20 minutes.
  (The action of waiting began 20 minutes ago and continues now.)

• He has been trying to fix his car all afternoon.
  (He started trying earlier and continues to work on it.)

4. Time Expressions Commonly Used with the Present Perfect Continuous Tense

• For (used to express the duration of time)

  • I have been learning English for 3 years.

• Since (used to express the starting point of time)

  • She has been studying since 8 AM.

• Lately / Recently (used for actions that have happened recently)

  • I have been feeling tired lately.

• How long (used in questions to ask about the duration)

  • How long have you been working here?

5. Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in the present perfect continuous tense.

1. I ________ (study) English for three years.

2. They ________ (work) on this project all day.

3. We ________ (wait) for the bus for 15 minutes.

4. She ________ (not feel) well recently.

5. He ________ (play) video games since 10 AM.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct sentence.

1. a) I have been seeing that movie before.
   b) I have seen that movie before.

2. a) She has been working in this company since 10 years.
   b) She has been working in this company for 10 years.

3. a) They have been walking for two hours.
   b) They have walked for two hours.

4. a) I haven’t been eating lunch.
   b) I haven’t eaten lunch.

5. a) Have you been sleeping?
   b) Have you slept?

Exercise 3: Write questions using the present perfect continuous tense.

1. (he, work) at this company for a long time?

2. (you, study) English for many years?

3. (they, play) football since morning?

4. (she, read) that book for hours?

5. (we, wait) for the train?