Present Perfect Continuous: The “Still Going” Tense
The Present Perfect Continuous tense is like a movie that started in the past and is still playing in the present. We use it to talk about actions that began in the past and are still continuing now. It’s a way to emphasize that the action is ongoing.
How to Form the Present Perfect Continuous
This tense has a few parts:
- Have/Has: (Use “have” with I, you, we, they; use “has” with he, she, it)
- Been: This word always comes after “have/has.”
- Present Participle: The -ing form of the main verb.
Examples:
- I have been working on this project all day.
- They have been studying for their exams since last week.
- She has been playing the piano for hours.
When to Use the Present Perfect Continuous
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Actions Starting in the Past and Continuing Now:
- Example: I have been waiting for the bus for 30 minutes. (I’m still waiting!)
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Actions Recently Stopped, But the Results Are Still Evident:
- Example: It has been raining. (The ground is still wet.)
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To Emphasize Duration:
- Example: I have been living here for five years. (Focus is on the length of time.)
Keywords to Look For:
- for (a period of time): for two hours, for a week
- since (a specific time): since yesterday, since 2015
- all day/week/month/year
- lately
- recently
Let’s Practice!
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Complete the Sentence:
- She _____ (to learn) English for three years. (has been learning)
- They _____ (to play) video games all afternoon. (have been playing)
- I _____ (not to feel) well lately. (haven’t been feeling)
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Make Your Own Sentences: Write three sentences about things you have been doing recently.
Challenge:
Write a short story about a character who is waiting for something. Use the present perfect continuous to describe what they have been doing while they wait.
