The future perfect continuous, also sometimes called the future perfect progressive, is a verb tense that describes actions that will continue up until a point in the future. The future perfect continuous consists of will + have + been + the verb’s present participle (verb root + -ing). FOR. HOW LONG? SINCE. The question words how long? and since when?, and the prepositions for and since are used with the present perfect continuous tense to express events that started in the past and are still in progress in the present. How long? and for refer to an incomplete period of time, while since when? and since refer to a point in Step 2: Introduce The Present Perfect Continuous. Next, explain to students that the present perfect continuous tense is similar to the 2nd usage of the present perfect tense (to talk about an action that started in the past and continued to the present.). Explain that the present perfect continuous tense emphasizes the length of a current The present perfect continuous tense, also known as the present perfect progressive, is generally used to put an emphasis on the procces or result of an action in the recent past without specifying the time. Signal words for the present perfect continuous tense include lately, all day, the whole week, since 1995, for 3 years, etc. The present perfect tense is an English verb tense used for past actions that are related to or continue into the present. It’s easily recognized by the auxiliary verbs (or helper verbs) have and has, as in, ā€œI have gone fishing since I was a child.ā€. Of all the English verb tenses, the present perfect is one of the most complicated Also called the present perfect progressive. It's not a very common tense, and often it's not taught in classes, but we do use it sometimes and it's very good to know how to make it, and to recognise it when other people use it. Luckily, it's very easy to make. Here's the positive (it's the present perfect of 'be' + verb -ing): Asmentioned in the general information on Greek verbs, each Greek verb comes in two flavors, which we called vanilla and strawberry, which become three if we count the passive chocolate as a separate flavor. (Please visit the previous link and read the beginning of that page to see the justification for this choice of words.) In a brief introductory paragraph on irregular verbs we saw that In two months’ time, we ā€˜ll be lying on the beach and drinking a mojito. Future arrangements (=present continuous) We use the future continuous instead of the present continuous for future events that have already been planned or decided. We ’ll be coming next weekend. We ’ll be leaving at 8 a.m. tomorrow. Future continuous: signal words The Past Perfect Continuous Tense in English. The past perfect continuous tense, also known as the past perfect progressive, is used to put an emphasis on the process of an action that took place before or up to a certain past time rather than its completion. It is similar to the present perfect continous tense but is used to express past actions. Simple present tense adalah bentuk tense yang digunakan untuk tindakan yang faktual, normal atau biasa terjadi. Fungsinya ialah untuk menjelaskan peristiwa yang menjadi kebiasaan sehari-hari, atau peristiwa yang tidak ada kaitannya dengan waktu dengan rumus dasar ā€œS + Verb-1 + (s/es)ā€ atau ā€œS + is/am/are + nominalā€. nZbfe7H. For the present perfect continuous, we have extra information about spelling exceptions for verbs and time expressions that you can use. Spelling exceptions for verbs Sometimes we need to remove a letter, and other times we need to add another letter. Here are the exceptions 1 One 'e' at the end of a verb Remove the final 'e' and add 'ing'. Examples [live] I've been living in Germany. [save] I've been saving money for a new car. * Verbs ending in 'ee' These follow the normal rules. Examples [see] He's been seeing his friends. 2 Verb ends with consonant + one stressed vowel + one consonant Double the final consonant and add 'ing'. Examples [stop] I've been stopping work early recently. * Verbs ending with an unstressed vowel These follow the normal rules, and the last consonant is not doubled. Examples [develop] They've been developing a new idea at the company. 3 Verb ends in 'l' British English Double the final consonant and add 'ing'. Examples [travel] I've been travelling with friends. 4 Verb ends with 'ie' Change 'ie' to 'y' and add 'ing'. Examples [lie] She's been lying to the teacher. 5 Verb ends with 'ic' Add 'k' before -ing'. Examples [panic] He's been panicking about the exam. Time expressions used with present perfect continuous Here are time markers that can be used with the present perfect continuous. 1 for This gives a period of time. Examples I've been working at this company for two years. 2 since This gives a starting point. Examples I've been living in this apartment since 2015. 3 this week / month / year / today / all day These expressions can be used for periods of time that are not finished. Examples He's been studying hard this week. 3 recently This started not long ago. Examples We've been going to the gym recently. In this article you will learn about the present perfect continuous tense. You will learn when to use the present perfect continuous tense and will see present perfect continuous forms and present perfect continuous examples. The present perfect continuous is sometimes referred to as the present perfect IS THE PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS?PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE FORMWHEN TO USE THE PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS?PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS TIMELINEPRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS QUESTIONSPRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE EXAMPLESPRESENT PERFECT VS PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUSWhat Is The Present Perfect Continuous Tense?The present perfect continuous tense is used to speak about an action or condition that started in the past and continues until now. The present perfect can also be used to to talk about experiences or accomplishments that happened in a recent past time or time that is not yet finishedPresent Perfect Continuous Tense FormThe form of the present perfect continuous isSUBJECT + HAS/HAVE + BEEN + VERB + INGUsually contracted in speech I’ve, he’s, she’s, etc.Or, when using the negative form it isSUBJECT + HAS/HAVE + NOT + BEEN + VERB + INGUsually contracted in speech haven’t /hasn’tQuick TipThe present perfect continuous is often used with the words out for these signal words!since / forThis week/month/year, today, recently, latelyWhen To Use The Present Perfect Continuous?The present perfect continuous tense is used to speak about an action or condition that started in the past and continues until now. The present perfect can also be used to to talk about experiences or accomplishments that happened in a recent past time or time that is not yet finishedWe use the present perfect continuous if the action is still current or the action has a direct relationship with the present time. The continuous form emphasizes the duration and continuous nature of the present perfect continuous cannot be used with non-action verbs, sometimes called stative verbs. The present perfect continuous can only be used with verbs implying have been living in Miami since Perfect Continuous Questions ExamplesHow have you been doing recently?How long has he been living in Salt Lake City?Where have you been going out recently?Where has she been buying all of those shoes?What have you been doing since I last saw you?What has she been reading?Who have you been dating?Who has been teaching you this term?Why haven’t you been wearing a coat this week?Has it been raining?Have you been working out?Present Perfect Continuous Tense ExamplesI’ve been thinking about you a lot been dating here for years. She’s been working there for 10 years. You haven’t been doing your homework lately. They have been dreaming about that for ages. We have been living in this building since Perfect Vs Present Perfect ContinuousThe present perfect is used to talk about experiences or accomplishments that happened in the past and/or in a recent past time that is not yet finished. Both the present perfect and the present perfect continuous are used to speak about an action or condition that started in the past and continues until now or the action has a direct relationship with the present time. The continuous form emphasizes the duration and continuous nature of the present perfect continuous cannot be used with non-action verbs, sometimes called stative verbs. The present perfect continuous can only be used with verbs implying Perfect1. To talk about general experiences in the pastSpecific time is not important.Have you ever visited Key West? Yes, I have visited Key West many times. Have they ever been to Australia? No, they have never been to An action or condition that started in the past and continues until nowSIGNAL WORDS How long…? Since / For How long has she been married? She has been married for 2 long has it been since you talked to your friend? I haven’t talked to my friend since last To talk about experiences or accomplishments that happened in a recent past time or time that is not yet finishedSIGNAL WORDS This week/month/year, Today, Recently, Lately, Already, Just, YetHave you visited Key West this year? Yes, I have visited Key West twice this she already eaten lunch today? Yes, she has already eaten have you been lately? I have not seen you. I have been sick. I have been in Perfect ContinuousThe Present Perfect Continuous is often interchangeable with USES 2 & 3 aboveā€œACTION OR CONDITION FROM THE PAST UNTIL NOWā€ā€œTO TALK ABOUT EXPERIENCES THAT HAPPENED IN A RECENT PAST TIMEā€We only use the Present Perfect Continuous if the action is still current or the action has a direct relationship with the present time. The Continuous form emphasizes the duration and continuous nature of the Present Perfect Continuous cannot be used with Non-Action Verbs, sometimes called Stative Verbs. The Present Perfect Continuous can ONLY be used with Verbs Implying Action. Sometimes a verb can have a Stative meaning and an Active meaning. Note the How long have you lived in Miami? I have lived in Miami since How long have you been living in Miami? I have been living in Miami since 2006. TO LIVE is an active verb.Correct How long has she been married? She has been married for 2 How long has she been being married? She has been being married for 2 years. TO BE describes a state.Correct How many years have they had that red car? They have had that red car for 10 How many years have they been having that red car? They have been having that red car for 10 years. HAVE is not usually an active verb. In this case, it shows ownership, which is a state.Correct How long have you had lunch at that cafe? I have had lunch at that cafe for many How long have you been having lunch at that cafe? I have been having lunch at that cafe for many years.In this case TO HAVE means eat, so it is an active verb. Native speakers would prefer the perfect continuous form here.Correct How have you felt lately? I have felt great How have you been feeling lately? I have been feeling great lately. In this case, TO FEEL is an active verb.Do you have questions?Which English course or school should I choose?Do I need a visa to study English in the USA?Can you help me with accommodation?Our friendly Student Advisers will help you decide which option is best for your journey today!Click here to subscribe to our newsletter! TurnYourLanguageOnDo you need to improve your English? See the locations of our english language schools in the United States. Home Grammar Verbs Present Perfect Continuous The present perfect continuous also called the present perfect progressive is a verb form that we use to describe an action that started in the past and either recently finished or is still continuing. Although only about .7% of verbs in speech are in the past perfect, this verb tense can be very useful in certain reading to learn how to form the present perfect continuous and when to use it, including tons of examples and charts!Just to avoid confusion, continuous and progressive are just different names for this same thing. In some countries, one term is more common than the other, but continuous is more common overall, so we use that term. Chart for Present Perfect Continuous in English The present perfect continuous is a little bit tricky. If you find a website that claims to explain it in just a few sentences, you should be suspicious. We use this tense in a number of different situations, and it can have different meanings in those different situations. We can look at three common ways that the present perfect progressive is used to describe new routines, to describe recently completed actions, and for actions that are still Routines and HabitsIn general, we use the simple present to talk about routines and habits If I go jogging every day or a couple of times a week, I can simply say, I jog, right?But what if this is a new habit? Maybe I have gone jogging every day for the past two weeks, so it is a routine, but it might feel funny to just say I jog. I am a jogger. In situations like this, where we want to demonstrate that a habit or routine is somewhat new, the present perfect continuous is the form that we want to use. Here are a few more examples This has been a difficult month. She has been working long hours. I’ve been going to the gym lately. We’ve been cooking at home more recently Recently Completed ActionsWe also use the present perfect continuous to talk about actions that have just recently ended, especially when there is still evidence of that action. For example, after you paint, you may still have paint on your hands. To explain this, you would use the present perfect progressive Sorry, my hands are dirty. I've just been painting. Take a look at these other examples The house is a mess because we've just been redecorating. Sorry, I'm all sweaty. I've been exercising. Why are you two crying? Have you been fighting? Notice that in each of these examples, there is sensory evidence the mess, sweating, crying of the recently completed actions painting, exercising, fighting. This is almost always the case when using the present perfect continuous in this Still Happening with For and SinceThis is probably the most common way that this verb form is used. This is very important When we see the present perfect continuous with for or since, the action started at a specific time in the past and is still happening. Here are some examples Michele has been living in Boston since June. Juana's been writing her thesis for 6 months. In the first example, Michele still lives in Boston. In the second example, Juana still works at Apple. Again, when you see for or since with this verb tense, the action or situation described by the main verb is still continuing. See Signal Words, below, for more information about how we use for and are more examples with for and since Cara's been working at FedEx for 3 years now. I've been thinking about changing jobs for a long time. We've been developing a new strategic plan since late last year. You have been traveling back and forth to California since you got married, right? Forming the Present Perfect continuousFormulaForming the present perfect continuous isn’t difficult. You will always use the same formula have/has + been + VERBingYou could also think of it as simple steps, tooFirst, choose either have if the subject is plural or the pronouns I, you, we, or they or has if the subject is a singular noun, he, she, or it. Then use been. Then use your main verb with is the verb work conjugated into the present perfect continuous. Present Perfect Continuous Tense Verb Conjugation Singular Plural 1st person I have been working. we have been working. 2nd person you have been working. you have been working. 3rd person he has been working. they have been working. she has been working. it has been working. Notice that we can see both the perfect and the continuous aspect in this form. Have been is the perfect aspect. Been verb-ing is continuous Forms of the Present Perfect continuousNegative SentencesYou always have two helping verbs in the present perfect continuous have/has and been. To make a negative, simply put not in between them! She has not been living here for a long time. I have not been reading much recently. They have not been working late. Because the present perfect continuous uses so many words, we often use contractions with not to make it a little shorter She hasn't been living here for a long time. I haven't been reading much recently. QuestionsTo make a question, simply put has/have before the subject. Has she been living here for a long time? Have you been working out lately? You look great! What have you been reading? When have you been going to bed lately? Passive VoiceMaking passive sentences with more complex verb forms like the present perfect continuous is extremely uncommon and almost always awkward in English. We really recommend that you rephrase a sentence to avoid creating such an awkward sentence. We have been being observed a lot at work. See the awkwardness in the sentence above? If you really need to make a passive sentence in this verb form, we often use the get passive to avoid the unnatural combination of been get in the present perfect progressive has been getting, have been getting and then the perfect form of the main verb. We have been getting observed a lot at work lately. I've been getting kicked off the internet every 5 minutes. Signal WordsRecently or LatelyWhen we are talking about new routines and habits, it’s common to use the word recently or lately, which both have the same meaning in this sense. There is some flexibility in where we can put these words in a sentence, but the beginning or end of the clause is a safe a look at these examples Lately, I've been thinking a lot about Aunt Maude. We've been having second thoughts about moving recently. JustWe can use the adverb just to emphasize that an action was completed in the immediate past, right before now. Because the present perfect continuous can talk about actions that stopped right before now, it is common to use just with it. Have a look at these examples Don't mind these ridiculous old clothes. I've just been gardening. Hey Paul! I can't believe you're here. We've just been talking about you! For We already said, the most important signal words with the present perfect progressive are for and since. They are important because they change the meaning. Whenever you see for and since with this verb form, you know the action is still we use for, we specify the duration of the action. This could be the number of minutes or weeks or years. It could also be a more general phrase like a really long time or a little while. People have been living on this land for thousands of years. It's been raining for hours I've been studying English for half my life! SinceWhile for is used with a duration, since is used to specify the point in time when the action began. That could be a time or date. It can also be another event described with a clause, like since I was a child. People have been living on this land since about 800 It's been raining since noon. I've been studying English since I was a child. check out these other free grammar resources Related Content