There are at least three characteristics you should know about Present Perfect Continuous Tense. Firstly, the Present Perfect Continuous Tense is used to talk about a long action which began in the past and has recently stopped or just stopped. Let’s see the following examples :
- The woman over there is bright red. I’m sure she’s been sunbathing.
- Why are your eyes red? What have you been doing?
Secondly, the Present Perfect Continuous Tense is also used to ask or say how long something has been happening. The action began in the past and is still going on or has just stopped. Let’s see the following examples :
- It is raining now. It began to rain an hour ago and it is still raining. It has been raining for an hour.
- I’ve been waiting for you for two hours.
- How long have you been living in Miami?
- She’s been crying for two hours.
Thirdly, the Present Perfect Continuous Tense is used with “how long”, “for” and “since”. Let’s see the following examples :
- I have been living in London since I was five.
- I’ve been learning English since I was at Middle School.
- How long have they been smoking ?
- They have been wasting their money for thirty years.
Present Perfect Continuous Exercises
Exercise I
Write a good present perfect continuous tense based the situation given !
Examples:
George is hot and tired. (he/play/football) George has been playing football.
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Christian has just come back from the beach. He is very red. (he/lie/in the sun)
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Grace is very tired. (she/work/hard)
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Sue is out of breath. (she/run)
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Jack is very drunk. (he/drink)
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Brian’s body smell cigarettes. (he/smoke)
Exercise II
Make questions for the following statements beginning with how long.
Examples:
He has been teaching for twenty years.
How long has he been teaching?
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He has been working here for ten years.
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They have been living in that house for thirty years.
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She has been studying English for six years.
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It has been raining for two hours.
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The cat has been lying there since this morning.
Answer
Exercise I
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He’s been lying in the sun.
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She’s been working hard.
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She’s been running.
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He’s been drinking.
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He’s been smoking.
Exercise II
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How long has he been working here?
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How long have they been living in that house?
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How long has she been studying English?
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How long has it been raining?
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How long has the cat been lying there?
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