ENG_B1.1.

0202G

Present Perfect
Continuous
Grammar Basics
Grammar & Structure
Level B1

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Present Perfect Continuous Outline

Content
In this lesson you will learn when to use the present perfect continuous and its
structure.

Learning Outcomes
• Learn the present perfect continuous
• Learn the structure and function of the present perfect continuous
• Learn to ask questions using the present perfect continuous

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Grammar

Please note
The present perfect continuous expresses an
action that started in the past and is
continuing into the present.

Examples
I have been waiting for several hours.  I am still waiting
She has been driving all night.  She is still driving.
They have been visiting her for many years.  They are still visiting her.

Present perfect continuous puts an emphasis on the

duration or course of the action.

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Grammar

Please note

There are three parts to the present perfect

continuous.

- Conjugation

- Form

- Function

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Grammar

Please note

There are three verbs used in the present

perfect continuous.

There are two auxiliary verbs and a main verb

(Subject) + (to have) + (to be) + (verb)-ing

Auxiliary Auxiliary Main Verb

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Grammar

Please note

The first auxiliary verb will always be a form of

“to have” in the present tense

I/You/We/They = Have
He/She/It = Has

The second auxiliary verb will always be the past participle of

‘to be’ (been) no matter who or what the subject is.

I/You/We/They = Have Been

He/She/It = Has Been

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Grammar

Please note
The main verb is the action of the sentence.
Like in all continuous verb forms, the main
verb is formed with verb-ing.

Examples:
Dance---> Dancing Work---> Working
Play---> Playing Save---> Saving

So in the sentence ‘Jim has been studying all night” the

main verb (and the action) is ‘to study’

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Using the Present Perfect Continuous

Please note
The present perfect continuous can be used to
make positive and negative statements and
questions.

Examples:
I have been riding my
bicycle for two hours.
I have not been riding my
bicycle to work.
Have you been riding
your bicycle recently?

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Structure

Please note

Structure for positive, negative, and questions

in the present perfect continuous

Positive Form:
Subject + have/has + been + (Verb)-ing

Negative Form:
Subject + have/has + not + been + (Verb)-ing

Question Form:
Have/has + Subject + been + (Verb)-ing

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Function

Please note

When and why do we use the present perfect

continuous?

1) To talk about an action that has just stopped or recently

stopped.
I‘m tired because I‘ve been running.

2) To talk about an action continuing up to now

I have been traveling for two weeks.

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Function

Please note
The present perfect continuous is used to talk
about an action that has recently stopped. The
action is still affecting the present.

Examples:
I am tired because I have been running.

I am tired (now) because I was running.

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Function

Please note
The present perfect continuous is used to talk
about an action that began in the past but is
continuing.

In this case we often use a duration of time such as: for two
weeks, all night, the last hour, etc.
Examples: I have been working all day

Meaning: I have worked all day, and I am still working.

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Grammar

Please note

It is common to use ‘recently’ and ‘lately’ in

the present perfect continuous

Example:
Recently, I have been feeling sick.
Lately, I have been feeling sick.
Meaning:
I have felt sick and I still feel sick.

‘Lately’ and ‘recently’ can come at the beginning or at

the end of a sentence.

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Grammar

Please note

‘For’ and ‘Since’ are commonly used with the

present perfect continuous

We use ‘for‘ to talk about a period of time.

For two weeks/For several years/For a day etc.

We use since to talk about a point of time in the past

Since last July, since yesterday, since 10 AM

‘For’can be used with all tenses.

‘Since’is usually used with perfect tenses only.
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Exercises

Writing
Write three positive sentences in the
present perfect continuous
EX) She has been sleeping all day!

1) ______________________

2) ______________________

3) _______________________

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Exercises

Writing
Write three negative sentences in the
present perfect continuous
EX) I have not been studying recently because I’m so busy!

1) ______________________

2) ______________________

3) _______________________

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Grammar

Please note
We can use contractions with the present
perfect continuous in positive and negative
statements and questions.

I have been running = I‘ve been running

He has not been sleeping = He hasn‘t been sleeping
I have not been eating = I‘ve not been eating
What have you been doing? = What‘ve you been doing?

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Grammar

Please note

When is it appropriate to use the present

perfect continuous?

In statements it is generally polite.

Example: I have been looking forward to meeting you.

In questions it can be interpreted as too direct or rude
because it implies the effects of whatever past action are
still present.
Example: Have you been drinking? (This question implies that
you smell of alcohol)

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Exercises

Writing

Identify and correct the mistakes.

1) I have been dance all night.

2) She has been staying in a hotel since 4 days.

3) I has not been working since last week.

4) You have been smoking?

5) I have been walk since Tuesday.

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Exercises

Writing
Ask a partner two quetions using the
present perfect continuous

Example:
A) What have you been listening to recently?
B) Lately, I have been listening to a lot of hip-hop music.

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Exercises

Writing
Look at the picture. Describe it using the
present perfect continuous.

1.

2.

3.

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Grammar

Please note

Answer these questions to determine the rules

of the present perfect continuous.

How do we conjugate these verbs?

When do we use the present perfect continuous?
When can we use‘for’and‘since‘?
What can‘recently’or‘lately’replace?
When might this tense seem impolite?

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