Present Perfect Continuous Tense

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Present perfect continuous tense is used to indicate that something started in the past and is still continuing at the present time.

Ways to form the Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Affirmative Sentence

The formula for Present Perfect Continuous Tense Affirmative Sentence is as such:

Subject + has been/ have been + Verb ('ing' form) + Object (optional) + since / for + the time duration

Example:

I have been working in bank since January.
He has been watching a movie for two hours.

Negative Sentence

The formula for Present Perfect Continuous Tense Negative Sentence is as such:

Subject + has / have + not + been + Verb ('ing' form) + Object (optional) + since / for + the time duration

Example:

You have not been studying hard for an exam since November.
She has not been listening to music for two hours.

Interrogative Sentence

The formula for Present Perfect Continuous Tense Interrogative Sentence is as such:

Has / have + Subject + been + Verb ('ing' form) + Object (optional) + since / for + the time duration

Example:

Have I been working hard for a job interview since Friday?
Has she been listening to music for the last 2 hours?

Negative Interrogative Sentence

The formula for Present Perfect Continuous Tense Negative Interrogative Sentence is as such:

Has / have + Subject + not + been + Verb ('ing' form) + Object (optional) + since / for + the time duration

Example:

Has John not been watching a movie for 2 hours?
Have we not been working hard for an exam since Monday?

Uses of Present Perfect Continuous Tense

The Present Perfect Continuous Tense is mainly used as:

1. To talk about an action that began in the past and is still continuing

For example

I have been studying hard for the exam for the last 10 days.
It has been raining since Monday.

2. To talk about something that has happened in the past, but the effect of it felt in the present

For example:

I have been working hard for wedding arrangement since Monday and I am ill now.
She has been working hard for an exam for the last 5 days and she is tired now.

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