PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

FORM (HAVE/HAS + BEEN + -ING)

AFFIRMATIVE

I HAVE / ‘ve BEEN PLAYING FOOTBALL.

HE HAS / ‘s BEEN PLAYING FOOTBALL.

NEGATIVE

I HAVE NOT / haven’t BEEN PLAYING FOOTBALL.

HE HAS NOT / hasn’t BEEN PLAYING FOOTBALL.

INTERROGATIVE

HAVE YOU BEEN PLAYING FOOTBALL?

HAS HE BEEN PLAYING FOOTBALL?

USE

It puts emphasis on the duration of an action

(not the result).

Example: She has been writing for two hours.

We can use it to refer to an action that has

finished but you can still see evidence (the results

of the activity can still be seen).

Example: Oh, the kitchen is a mess. Who has

been cooking?

Look! It’s been raining (The streets are wet)

It can refer to an action that has not finished.

Example: I’ve been learning German for 20 years

and I still do not know very much.

PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE – PRESENT PERFECT

CONTINUOUS

Who has eaten my

sandwich?

(The plate is empty)

It has snowed every winter

for years.

(A repeated occurrence)

I have read your book.

(I’ve finished it)

Who has been eating my

sandwich?

(Some is left)

It has been snowing all day

(A continuing activity)

I’ve been reading your

book.

( I haven’t finished it)