Easy Pace Learning

Grammar


Basics


Lessons and exercises


Exercises


Learning present perfect continuous English lesson

What will I learn from the English lesson learning Present perfect continuous?

During this English lesson you will learn what present perfect continuous tense is and how to use it.

** Hint **

Present progressive tense can also be called?

Sometimes the present progressive tense is also called the “present continuous" / "continuous present."

What is present perfect continuous tense?

Perfect continuous tense is used to put emphasis on the duration of an action which has started in the past and continues up to the present, present perfect continuous is used a lot with time expressions such as for, since, all morning / all afternoon/ all evening/ all week / all day / all week / minutes.

Mrs Smith has been picking strawberries for two hours.

Why is this sentence present perfect continuous tense?

Mrs Smith has been picking strawberries for two hours ago and she is still picking them now.

The present perfect continuous tense can also be used for an action which was started and finished in the past and lasted for some time. The result of the action must be visible in the present time.

John is dirty. He has been playing Rugby with is friends.

Why is this sentence present perfect continuous tense?

John has stopped playing rugby, but his clothes are dirty is visible on is clothes.

With the verbs feel (feel = have a particular emotion) Live, work and teach we can use the present perfect or present perfect continuous with no difference in meaning.

John has felt sick all afternoon

John has been feeling sick all afternoon

The present perfect continuous can be used to express anger, annoyance or irritation.

Just who has been reading my emails? (The speaker is irritated.)

Present perfect continuous tense can be used with the following time expressions: -

How long

Please tell me how long have you known John?

How long have you been learning English?

For (duration)

We have known Mr and Mrs Bean for twenty years.

I have not seen Chloe for a long time.

She has been working with us for ten years.

Since (starting point)

Mr and Mrs Bean have been married since August last year.

They have been living here since 1999.

I have not talked to Simon since last Monday.

Lately / recently

Have you seen any good movies lately recently at the cinema?

He has been going out a lot lately with is friends.

Sarah has been going out a lot recently with her new boyfriend.

Some more examples of perfect present continuous tense using the words since and for

Since we moved to Manchester, we have been much happier.

Have you been waiting for a long time?

You are late! We have sat here waiting for you for you since one o'clock.

Mr Smith hasn't bought a new car for ten years.

Mrs Jones has been on the telephone for many hours!

I have known Mr Bean since 1999 he is my best friend.

Mr Bean has been my best friend for many years.

John has lived in this City since he was born.

It has been snowing for hours. I wish it would stop or we I won’t be able to go to the party.

My mother has been the working at this firm for twenty years.

Easy Pace Learning Forum