[has/have + been + present participle]
Examples:
Affirmative | Negative | Interrogative |
I have been sleeping. You have been sleeping. We have been sleeping. They have been sleeping. He has been sleeping. She has been sleeping. It has been sleeping. |
I have not been sleeping. You have not been sleeping. We have not been sleeping. They have not been sleeping. He has not been sleeping. She has not been sleeping. It has not been sleeping. |
Have I been sleeping? Have you been sleeping? Have we been sleeping? Have they been sleeping? Has he been sleeping? Has she been sleeping? Has it been sleeping? |
We use the Present Perfect Continuous to show that something started in the past and has continued up until now. "For five minutes," "for two weeks," and "since Tuesday" are all durations which can be used with the Present Perfect Continuous.
Examples:
You can also use the Present Perfect Continuous WITHOUT a duration such as "for two weeks." Without the duration, the tense has a more general meaning of "lately." We often use the words "lately" or "recently" to emphasize this meaning.
Examples:
Remember that the Present Perfect Continuous has the meaning of "lately" or "recently." If you use the Present Perfect Continuous in a question such as "Have you been feeling alright?", it can suggest that the person looks sick or unhealthy. A question such as "Have you been smoking?" can suggest that you smell the smoke on the person. Using this tense in a question suggests you can see, smell, hear or feel the results of the action. It is possible to insult someone by using this tense incorrectly.
It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any continuous tenses. Also, certain non-continuous meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot be used in continuous tenses. Instead of using Present Perfect Continuous with these verbs, you must use Present Perfect.
Examples:
The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.
Examples:
Examples:
NOTE: Present Perfect Continuous is less commonly used in its passive form.