Definition: Present Perfect Continuous Tense is used to express an action that happened in the past and has continued up to the present time.
Form of Present Perfect Continuous
Affirmative: Subj+ (have/has)+ been+ V-ing(present participle)+ …
Interrogative: (Have/Has)+ subj+ been+ V-ing(present participle)+ …?
Negative: Subj+ (have/has)+ not+ been+ V-ing(present participle)+ …
Usage of Present Perfect Continuous
➷Present Perfect continuous is used to talk about duration from the past until now.
- We have been talking about our Cambodian economy for the last hour.
- He has been working for that company for two years.
➷Present Perfect continuous is used to talk about a recent past action.
- Recently, I have been feeling really tired of those paper work.
- Moon has been watching too much television lately.
Note1: 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.
Note2: 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.
- Sam has been having his car for two years. Not Correct
- Sam has had his car for two years. Correct
Note3: The adverb placement "always, only, never, ever, still, just,..." is used in Present Perfect Continuous.
- You have only been waiting here for one hour.
- Have you only been waiting here for one hour?
| Basic Structure |
| Affirmative | Interrogative | Negative |
| I have been learning | Have I been learning? | I have not been learning |
| We have been learning | Have we been learning? | We have not been learning |
| You have been learning | Have you been learning? | You have not been learning |
| They have been learning | Have they been learning? | They have not been learning |
| He has been learning | Has he been learning? | He has not been learning |
| She has been learning | Has she been learning? | She has not been learning |
| It has been learning | Has it been learning? | It has not been learning |
| Short Answer |
| Affirmative | Negative |
| Yes, I have | No, I haven't |
| Yes, we have | No, we haven't |
| Yes, you have | No, you haven't |
| Yes, they have | No, they haven't |
| Yes, he has | No, he hasn't |
| Yes, she has | No, she hasn't |
| Yes, it has | No, it hasn't |
Auxiliary Verbs
* "have/has" is used as an auxiliary verb to help another auxiliary verb "been" to create perfect form.
* "been" is used as an auxiliary verb to help the main verb to create continuous form.
- Sam and Tim have been looking for a job since they graduated university.
➦To have "have" is a present verb (V1). In the sentence, it becomes an auxiliary verb so it helps another auxiliary verb "been" to create perfect form.
➦To be "been" is a past participe verb (V3). In the sentence, it becomes an auxiliary verb so it helps the main verb "looking" to create continous form.
- He has been waiting here for you for two hours.
➦To have "has" is a present verb (V1). In the sentence, it becomes an auxiliary verb so it helps another auxiliary verb "been" to create perfect form.
➦To be "been" is a past participe verb (V3). In the sentence, it becomes an auxiliary verb so it helps the main verb "waiting" to create continous form.
Important Note*
| Tense: | Present | + | Perfect | + | Continuous |
| Form: | "have/has" | + | been | + | V-ing |
WH Questions
* “WH Questions”, (What/When/Where/Why/Who/How…), is used to ask for information.
What: is used to ask for Thing. Ex: what have they been watching on gogglebox?
Where: is used to ask for Place. Ex: Where have you been studying English Grammar?
Why: is used to ask for Reason. Ex: Why has Lora been crying in her room?
Who: is used to ask for Person. Ex: who has been playing the piano?
How long: is used to ask for length. Ex: how long has he been sleeping?
Expressions
* Present Perfect continuous tense is used to put emphasis on the duration of an action which has started in the past and continues up to the present, present perfect continuous is used a lot with time expressions.
(for/ since/ all morning / all afternoon/ all evening/ all week / all day / all hours/ all minutes,...)
- I have been writing this article all afternoon.
- He has been reading that book all week.
- She has been finding her dress since morning.
- We have been shopping here all hours.
10 Irregular Verbs
Infinitive (to/bare)V | Present Simple V1 | Past Simple V2 | Past Participle V3 | Present Participle V-ing |
| (to)be | is/am/are | was/were | been | being |
| (to)become | become(s) | became | become | becoming |
| (to)begin | begin(s) | began | begun | beginning |
| (to)break | break(s) | broke | broken | breaking |
| (to)bring | bring(s) | brought | brought | bringing |
| (to)build | build(s) | built | built | building |
| (to)buy | buy(s) | bought | bought | buying |
| (to)catch | catch(es) | caught | caught | catching |
| (to)choose | choose(es) | chose | chosen | choosing |
| (to)come | come(s) | came | come | coming |
Active Voice and Passive Voice
* Active Voice refers to the subject which is the doer of the action.
* Passive Voice refers to the subject which is the receiver of the action.
| Present Perfect Continuous Active Voice | Present Perfect Continuous Passive Voice |
| + | Subj+ (have/has)+ been+ V-ing+ obj | ➣ | Subj+ (have/has)+ been+ being+ V3 |
| ? | (Have/Has)+ Subj+ been+ V-ing+ obj? | ➣ | (Have/Has)+ Subj+ been+ being+ V3 |
| - | Subj+ (have/has)+ not+ been+ V-ing+ obj | ➣ | Subj+ (have/has)+ not+ been+ being+ V3 |
1. A:
P:
2. A:
P:
3. A:
P:
4. A:
P:
5. A:
P:
Important Note*
| Tense: | Present Perfect Continuous Active | Present Perfect Continuous Passive |
| Form: | "have/has"+ been+ V-ing+ obj | "have/has"+ been+ being+ V3 |
Learner can find more practice exercises in Test Yourself Online section.
Learner's Materials
Video Lesson
* Session 1:
* Session 2:
* Session 3:
Test Yourself Online
Learner can find answers to these Test Yourself onlines in Answer Key worksheet below.
Worksheet
* Present Simple
* Verb Follows Subject
* Active Voice and Passive Voice
* Modal Active Voice and Passive Voice
* Answer Key
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