If you use the present perfect continuous in a question such as "Have you been feeling alright? Present Perfect Continuous The present perfect progressive expresses an action that recently stopped or is still going on. Learn how to use the present perfect progressive in English grammar with Lingolia’s online lesson and free exercises. How good are you at the Present Perfect Continuous tense? How long have you known each other? The present perfect continuous tense is used to talk about more temporary actions and situations; the present perfect tense is used to talk about longer-lasting or permanent situations. The present perfect... 2: On the other hand, the present perfect simple is often used when we're talking about how much or how many. Here's the positive (it's the present perfect of 'be' + verb -ing): Remember that the present perfect continuous has the meaning of "lately" or "recently." 1. Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous, Present Continuous and Present Perfect Continuous, Present Perfect, Past Perfect, Present Perfect Continuous, and Past Perfect Continuous, Present and Past Tenses with Non-Continuous Verbs. Present Perfect Continuous Definition In the present perfect continuous tense, the action has been taking place for some time and is still ongoing. I have been reading War and Peace for a month now. The present perfect continuous (also called present perfect progressive) is a verb tense which is used to show that an action started in the past and has continued up to the present moment. You can also use the present perfect continuous WITHOUT a duration such as "for two weeks." It puts emphasis on the duration or course … Complete List of Present Perfect Continuous Forms. We've understood everything. The present perfect continuous tense (also known as the present perfect progressive tense) shows that something started in the past and is continuing at the present time. Interrogative negative: Hasn't she been running? 1 I and my legs are really tired now. Notice that this is related to the present perfect continuous and the past perfect continuous; however, with future perfect continuous, the duration stops at … The present perfect simple usually focuses on the result of the activity in some way, and the present perfect continuous usually focuses on the activity itself in some way. Interrogative : Has she been running? The duration for which the action has been going on is usually mentioned in the present perfect continuous tense. 1: The present perfect continuous can be used to emphasise the length of time that has passed. USE 2 Recently, Lately. We use the present perfect to connect the past and the present. With verbs not normally used in the continuous form, use the simple present perfect instead (verbs such as: know, hate, hear, understand, want). Verb Tense Exercise 14 Present Perfect, Past Perfect, Present Perfect Continuous, and Past Perfect Continuous . Present Perfect Continuous Tense is used to describe the events that have started in the past and still continuing or have stopped just a little time back. I've heard a lot about you recently. The result or process of the action is emphasised and not the time. But we must use the present perfect simple with stative verbs, and we normally use the present perfect continuous with dynamic verbs (although the present perfect simple is also possible.) What is Present Perfect Continuous Tense. Also, certain non-continuous meanings for mixed verbs cannot be used in continuous tenses. The present perfect progressive tense, also present perfect continuous, expresses an action that begins in the past and lasts up to or shortly before a present moment. I've been working on this report since eight o'clock this morning (= and I still haven't finished it). Definition and Examples. Use a timeline to illustrate the two principal uses of the present perfect continuous. The present perfect continuous is an action that started in the past and continuous up to the present. f t p. Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below with the appropriate tenses, then click the "Check" button to check your answers. Actions started in the past and continuing till now. What is … Signal Words for two hours, for ________ how long since morning, since ______ Structure / Formula Subject + has/have + been + Base form(+ing) I have been travelling. We normally use the present perfect continuous to emphasise that something is still continuing in the present: She has been living in Liverpool all her life. The speaker is thinking about something that started but perhaps did not finish in that period of time. It may be just finishing now or still continuing. ", it can suggest that the person looks sick or unhealthy. For longer time frames, the present perfect and present perfect progressive can be confusing because they are so similar. The present perfect continuous is formed with have/has been and the -ing form of the verb. The present perfect continuous is made up of two elements: the present perfect of the verb 'to be' (have/has been), and the present participle of the main verb (base+ing). For example, it sounds much better to say He has been writing his report for two hours than He has written his report for two hours. Luckily, it's very easy to make. The present perfect continuous usually emphasizes duration, or the amount of time that an action has been taking place. She has been waiting for you all day (= and she's still waiting now). "For five minutes," "for two weeks," and "since Tuesday" are all durations which can be used with the present perfect continuous. It's been raining (= and the streets are still wet). The present perfect continuous is formed using has/have + been + present participle. College/university students & young adults. © EF Education First 2020. Present Perfect Continuous Tense (present perfect progressive tense) is used to express the action or task that started in the past and continues in present. Choose the present perfect simple or present perfect continuous to complete the sentences below. Verb Tense Exercise 8 Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous f t p Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below with the appropriate tenses, then click the … “For ten minutes,” “for one year,” and “since Monday” are all durations which can be used with the Present Perfect Continuous Tense. The Present perfect progressive tense shows action that has been continuously happening up to the present moment. Negative: She hasn't been running. Negatives are made with not. "For five minutes," "for two weeks," and "since Friday" are all durations which can be used with the future perfect continuous. Definition, Examples of English Tense Present perfect progressive definition: The present perfect progressive tense (also called the present perfect continuous) is an English verb tense that is most often used to express actions that began in the past and continue to the present. What does it mean when someone says: “I have been working”? (Temporary action or situation) The temple has stood on the hill for hundreds of years. The present perfect continuous is used to refer to an unspecified time between 'before now' and 'now'. To make this tense, you need have or had + been + the verb in ing form. Affirmative: She has been / She's been running. We use the present perfect continuous to show that something started in the past and has continued up until now. The present perfect continuous tense links the past to the present (as well as the present perfect simple) and we use it to describe: (1) Unfinished situations or periods of time [ English level B1] It describes situations (single or repeated) that started in the past and still continue to … They have been travelling since last October (= and they're not home yet). … We use the present perfect continuous to talk about an action or activity that started in the past and continues now or has only just stopped. Without the duration, the tense has a more general meaning of "lately." The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc. The present perfect continuous is formed using the construction has/have been + the present participle (root + -ing). She has been cooking since last night (= and the food on the table looks delicious). She's known Robert since she was a child. Solve the exercises and compare your answers with the correct answers given. NOTE: Present perfect continuous is less commonly used in its passive form. A time reference is found in these kind of sentences like “since 2000”, “for 2 hours”. Someone's been eating my chips (= half of them have gone). Usage of the Present Perfect Continuous. can suggest that you smell the smoke on the person. Practicing the Present Perfect Continuous Explaining the Present Perfect Continuous on the Board . I have been studying hard We form the present perfect continuous with have + been + -ing form. f t p. Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below with the appropriate tenses, then click the "Check" button to check your answers. I've wanted to visit China for years. In the article below we have prepared present perfect continuous tense exercises with answers for ESL students and teachers. I would like to find out a little bit more about your background. To form the present perfect continuous tense, also known as the present perfect progressive tense, all you have to do is use the following formula: has/have been + the present participle (root + ing) Remember to use “has” for a singular noun or pronoun and “have” for a plural noun or pronoun, including the pronoun “you.” That boy has been standing at the gate for hours. We’ ve had this car for years. … It is important to remember that non-continuous verbs cannot be used in any continuous tenses. The Present Perfect Continuous or Progressive tense talks about how long you have been doing something you started in the past and still continue now. Note that … A question such as "Have you been smoking?" He/she is interested in the process as well as the result, and this process may still be going on, or may have just finished. The present perfect continuous is used to refer to an unspecified time between 'before now' and 'now'. It is possible to insult someone by using this tense incorrectly. The speaker is thinking about something that started but perhaps did not finish in that period of time. For short-term continuing actions (in the first chart), the ‑ing form is a lot more common. We already have talked about present perfect continuous/progressive tense usages and sentence structures. For more information on forms of the present perfect continuous, see Present perfect continuous. We often use the words "lately" or "recently" to emphasize this meaning. But in most cases, there is no differencein meaning between a long, continuing action using the present perfect and one using the present perfect progressive, so students … THE PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE This is used for actions or activities that started in the past and continue into the present. It's been raining for hours. Using this tense in a question suggests you can see, smell, hear or feel the results of the action. The speaker is thinking about something that started but perhaps did not finish in that period of time. Questions are indicated by inverting the subject and has/have. I hate this weather! If both tenses are possible, use the present perfect continuous. Instead of using present perfect continuous with these verbs, you must use present perfect. I have + been + living (live + ing) I've hated that music since I first heard it. We often use the words "lately" or "recently" to emphasize this meaning. I need a break. Verb Tense Exercise 10 Present Continuous and Present Perfect Continuous. The Present Perfect Continuous uses two auxiliary verbs together with a main verb. He/she is interested in the process as well as the result, and this process may still be going on, or may have just finished. Present Perfect Continuous Examples: Questions What have you been doing? Ongoing states and actions We often use for, since and how long with the present perfect simple to talk about ongoing states. Read on for detailed descriptions, examples, and present perfect continuous exercises. It’s been raining since ten o’clock this morning. In this lesson we look at the structure and use of the Present Perfect Continuous tense, as well as the use of for and since, followed by a quiz to check your understanding. This advanced tense is called the PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS or PRESENT PERFECT PROGRESSIVE. Present Perfect Continuous Tense Exercises With Answers. Present perfect continuous tense is used to express an action that started in the past and continued till present. Mr. Smith: So tell me a little bit about yourself, Mr. Harris. This time reference specifies that the task has been continued from the past till now. With such a long string of helping verbs, the present perfect continuous can be a bit confusing. It's not a very common tense, and often it's not taught in classes, but we do use it sometimes and it's very good to know how to make it, and to recognise it when other people use it. We can use either the present perfect simple or continuous for situations that started in the past and still continue. It's been raining all week (= and it is still raining). He/she is interested in the process as well as the result, and this process may still be going on, or may have just finished. All rights reserved. The present perfect continuous is used to refer to an unspecified time between 'before now' and 'now'.