The Present Perfect Continuous Tense

I. A Look at the Continuous Tenses A. Present Continuous Tense am, is, are + verb + ing Example: We are studying the verb tenses now. B. Past Continuous Tense was, were + verb + ing Example: We were studying the verb tenses yesterday. C. Present Perfect Continuous Tense has, have + been + verb + ing Example: We have been studying the verb tenses for two weeks.

II. Uses of the Present Perfect Perfect Continuous Tense A. Present Perfect Continuous: Used to indicate the duration of an activity that began in the past and continues to the present. When the tense has this meaning, it is used with time expressions such as for, since, all morning, all day, all week. Examples: I have been studying since seven o’clock this morning. It has been raining for two days. You have been working hard all week. B. Present Perfect Continuous: When the tense is used without any specific mention of time, it expresses a general activity in progress recently, lately. Examples: I have been thinking about moving to Newark. She has been studying hard for her English test. I have been sleeping on the floor because my back hurts.

III. Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous Tenses With certain verbs (most notably live, work, teach), there is little or no difference in meaning between the two tenses when since or for is used. Examples: I have taught at NPHS for eight years. I have been teaching at NPHS for eight years. My sister has lived in Bound Brook since My sister has been living in Bound Brook since Miriam has worked at UMDNJ since Miriam has been working at UMDNJ since 1990.

IV. Contractions of the Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous Tenses I have taught at NPHS for eight years. I’ve taught at NPHS for eight years. I have been teaching at NPHS for eight years. I’ve been teaching at NPHS for eight years. My sister has lived in Bound Brook since My sister’s lived in Bound Brook since 1992 My sister has been living in Bound Brook since My sister’s been living in Bound Brook since 1992.

V. Yes/No and Information Questions in the Present Perfect Continuous Tense A. Yes/No Questions Have/Has + Subject + BEEN + Verb+-ING + Rest of Sentence Have you been reading for two hours? No, I haven’t. I’ve been reading for three hours. Has she been sleeping all day? Yes, she has. B. Information Questions Question Word + Have/Has + Subject + BEEN + Verb+-ING + Rest of Sentence Where have you been reading? I’ve been reading in my living room? Why has she been sleeping all day? She’s been sleeping all day because she she’s very tired.