Present Perfect Continuous Rules!
A verb in the present perfect continuous tense shows an action that started in the past and continued or is continuing now or has just ended.
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.
Present perfect continuous affirmative sentence rule:
Subject + Helping verb +form of verb1 with “ing” + object.
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 |
Present Perfect Continuous 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.
Present Perfect Continuous Rules Image
Negative Sentence
For a negative sentence of present perfect continuous place, the not between has and been.
Present perfect continuous negative sentence rule:
Subject + has/have +not been +form of verb1 with “ing” + object.
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 |
Present Perfect Continuous 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.
Present Perfect Continuous Formula
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.
Present perfect continuous interrogative sentence rule:
Helping verb + Subject + form of verb1 with “ing” + object.
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 |
Present Perfect Continuous Examples:
- Has he been plucking flowers for 15 minutes?
- Have they been washing the clothes since Friday?
- Have they been cheating us for two days?
- Has Jan been waiting for you since January?
Check it: All 12 Tenses Notes
Present Perfect Continuous Formula
Present Perfect Continuous Examples
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