ESL Grammar – Present Perfect Continuous

---

The present perfect continuous tense is used to express actions or events that started in the past, are still ongoing in the present, and emphasize their duration or continuity. It is formed by using the auxiliary verb “have” or “has” followed by “been” and the present participle (-ing form) of the main verb.

Here are some examples of sentences using the present perfect continuous tense:

1. I have been studying English for three hours.
   • This sentence indicates that the action of studying English started in the past and is still continuing at the present moment.
2. She has been working on the project since morning.
   • The verb “work” is in the present participle form, “working.” This sentence suggests that she started working on the project in the morning and is still actively working on it.
3. They have been playing soccer all afternoon.
   • The verb “play” is in the present participle form, “playing.” This sentence shows that the action of playing soccer started earlier in the afternoon and is still in progress.
4. We haven’t been seeing eye to eye lately.
   • The negative form of the present perfect continuous tense is created by adding “not” after “have” or “has” and “been.” In this sentence, “haven’t been seeing” implies that the lack of agreement or understanding has been ongoing in recent times.
5. Have you been waiting long?
   • The question form of the present perfect continuous tense is formed by inverting the subject and auxiliary verb. This sentence asks about the duration of the action of waiting.

The present perfect continuous tense is commonly used to talk about ongoing actions or events that started in the past and are still happening in the present, emphasizing their duration or continuity.

---

---