Present Perfect Continuous Tense Rules & Examples

Language is a powerful tool that allows us to convey our thoughts, feelings, and actions. One of the fundamental aspects of any language is its tense system, which helps us express actions in relation to time. In English, the present perfect continuous tense is a crucial tense that allows us to describe actions that started in the past, continue into the present, and may still be ongoing. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the rules and examples of the present perfect continuous tense, helping you master this aspect of English grammar.

Download PDF

Table of Contents

Affirmative Sentence

After the subject, a supporting verb has been or have been was added.
Then with “ing” use the first form of the verb.
Then thirdly, use the “for” and “since”.
“For” refers to a period of time, while “since” refers to a continuous activity or circumstance in the past.
This tense is also used for verb started in the past that is continuing still or that has just ended.

Rule: Subject + Helping verb +form of verb₁ with “ing” + object.

I have been studying English for two hours.

Subject: I
Auxiliary verb: have
Been
Base form of the verb: study
-ing: studying

Formula:

Subject	Helping verb	form of verb₁ + ing	Object	Since/for + remaining sentence
He	has been	washing	clothes	for three days
She	has been	washing	clothes	for three days
It	has been	washing	clothes	for three days
I	have been	washing	clothes	for three days
We	have been	washing	clothes	for three days
They	have been	washing	clothes	for three days
You	have been	washing	clothes	for three days

Examples:

He has been eating the food for 15 minutes.
He has been searching me since morning.
He has been inviting us for three days.
Ali has been playing hockey since morning.
Alia has been reciting the Holy Book for two hours.
We have been writing the letter since morning.

Negative Sentence

For a negative sentence of present perfect continuous place, the not between has and been.

Rule: Subject + has/have +not been +form of verb₁ with “ing” + object.

I haven’t been watching television all day.

Subject: I
Auxiliary verb: haven’t
Been
Base form of the verb: watch
-ing: watching

Formula:

Subject	has/have	not been	form of verb₁ + ing	Object	since/for + remaining sentence
He	has	not been	washing	clothes	for three days
She	has	not been	washing	clothes	for three days
It	has	not been	washing	clothes	for three days
I	have	not been	washing	clothes	for three days
We	have	not been	washing	clothes	for three days
They	have	not been	washing	clothes	for three days
You	have	not been	washing	clothes	for three days

Examples:

He has not been doing this work.
We have not been plucking the flowers since morning.
They have not been helping them for three years.
Jan has not been reading the newspaper for fifteen minutes.
You have not been abusing me since noon.

Interrogative Sentence

In interrogative sentences of present perfect continuous put the helping verb has and have at the start of the sentence before the subject and been after the subject.

Rules: Helping verb + Subject + form of verb₁ with “ing” + object.

Have you been studying English for long?

Have (auxiliary verb)
Subject: you
Been
Base form of the verb: study
-ing: studying
?

Formula:

Has/Have	subject	been	form of verb₁ + ing	Object	Since/For + remaining sentence
Has	he	been	washing	clothes	for three days
Has	she	been	washing	clothes	for three days
Has	it	been	washing	clothes	for three days
Have	i	been	washing	clothes	for three days
Have	we	been	washing	clothes	for three days
Have	they	been	washing	clothes	for three days
Have	you	been	washing	clothes	for three days