Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Present perfect continuous tense is a subcategory of the present tense. It denotes the current state of an incident that started sometime in the past and continues into the present. It shows a prolonged continuity of an action.

Know more about Present Perfect Continuous Tense

We know the definition of present perfect continuous tense from the above discussion. Here we will know the uses of present perfect continuous tense sentences. Also, we will discuss the structure with examples of the present perfect continuous tense. 

How do we identify the Present Perfect Continuous Tense?

We can identidy present perfect continuous tense by following the structure of the sentences and seeing the context of the sentences.

For example:- 

1. Muskan has been going to college for the last year.
2. Ravi has not been reading for a few days.
3. Have you been living here for a long time?
4. I have been writing a book since this morning. 
5. They have been playing hockey since evening. 

From the above example, we find continuity is happening in all the events. 

Structure

• Affirmative sentence

Subject + have/has + been + Verb⁴ + Object/Complement + since/for.

• Negative sentence

Subject + have/has + not + been + Verb⁴ + Object/Complement + since/for.

• Interrogative positive sentence

Has/have + Subject + been + Verb⁴ + Object/Complement + since/for? 

• Interrogative, negative sentence

Has/have + Subject + not + been + Verb⁴ + Object/Complement + since/for? 

• Wh- words positive sentence

Wh- words + have/has + been + Verb⁴ + Object/Complement + since/for? 

• Wh- words negative sentence

Wh- words + have/has + not +been + Verb⁴ + Object/Complement + since/for? 

Important points

We need to remember these points when creating a present perfect continuous tense sentence. 

• We always use the present participle form ( verb + ing) in the perfect continuous form of the present tense. 
• We add the first auxiliary verb has/have in this tense. 
• We use ‘has’ with the singular subject, use ‘have’ with the plural subject, and ‘I.’ 
• We add the ‘been’ as a second auxiliary verb in this sentence. 
• In a negative sentence, we add ‘not’ after the first auxiliary verb. 
• We exchange the subject and first auxiliary verb while making an Interrogative sentence. 
• We use ‘since’ for denoting a point of time, and for the duration of time, we use ‘for.’ Like, Since Monday, since morning and for one year, for two weeks. 

Uses of the Present perfect Continuous Tense

Let’s know about the main uses of the present perfect continuous tense. 

• The perfect continuous form of the present tense deals with a state that began in the past. This is continuing in the present. Also, maybe extended into the Future. For example:-

1. She has been waiting for you for two hours. 
2. They have been playing cards since 11 am. 

• This tense also expresses a state that began in the past and has just been completed. However, its result is visible in the present. For example:-

1. I have been reading since morning, and I am very tired now. 
2. I have been waiting for you since morning.

• This tense also expresses an action that began with ‘For long’ or ‘Since when,’ as in-.

1. For how long have you been sitting here? 
2. Since when has she been living in this house? 

• This tense is also used to express repeated action. 

1. He has been getting this newspaper every day for a year.

• We use ‘for’ and ‘since’ with the continuous form like the present perfect form. 

Conclusion

After reading the above discussion, we clearly understand the definition, uses, identification, and structure of perfect continuous tense sentences. Thus, we know the present perfect progressive tense expresses the state which began in the past and continues in the present. Along with this, there may be a chance for the action to continue in the present. We use the present participle form of the verb in these sentences. We easily understand these things by seeing and practising present perfect continuous tense examples.