Present Perfect Continuous

AFFIRMATIVE

We use have/has plus been plus the -ing form of the main verb.

1. I have been working1. We have been working
2. You have been working2. You have been working
3. He/She/It has been working3. They have been working

NEGATIVE

Note that it is uncommon to use the Present Perfect Continuous in negative form. We usually use the Present Perfect.

Example: I haven’t talked to my friend for a week instead of I haven’t been talking to my friend for a week.

However, if you need to use the negative form, then just put the negative particle not after have or has ( haven’t/hasn’t been + – ing).

INTERROGATIVE

We change tha place of have or has and the subject of the sentence to form questions.

1. Have I been working?1. Have we been working?
2. Have you been working?2. Have you been working?
3. Has he/she/it been working?3. Have they been working?

We use the Present Perfect Continuous for:

  1. ACTIONS THAT STARTED IN THE PAST AND CONTINUE UP TO NOW. ( with since and for) However, if you use a state verb, then you must put it into the Present Perfect. ( see Present Perfect)

Example: I have been reading for three hours. She has been cooking since 5 p.m.

2. FOR RECENTLY COMPLETED CONTINUOUS ACTIONS, THE RESULT OF WHICH IS VISIBLE NOW. ( with all day, all morning etc.)

Example: She is tired. (result) She has been working all day. He is exhausted (result). He has been studying all morning.

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