The Present Perfect Continuous (Progressive) Tense of Verbs

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First Published: 1st of January, 2020 by Patrick Carpen.

Last updated: January 1, 2021 at 19:06 pm

The present perfect continuous tense of a verb describes an action that has been happening for some time in the past and continues to happen or has just concluded at the time of speaking.

Here is an example:

I have been working all morning.

The above expression could have been spoken by someone who is still working through the morning or who had just concluded working all morning.

Dialogue:

Man: You look very fit these days.

Woman: Thank you. I have been working out regularly for the past three months.

Here’s another example.

I started eating 10 minutes ago. I am still eating. I “have been eating” for the past ten minutes.

The action, “have been eating” is complete for the parameter of “ten minutes” at the time of speaking. Therefore, it is an example of the present perfect progressive tense.

We can say then that the present perfect progressive tense speaks of an action that:

  1. Is happening at or up to the present time.
  2. Will continue to happen or has just concluded.
  3. Has been completed or “perfected” to a stated parameter.

Here are some more examples:

I have been watching television all day. Now I am going to sleep.

I have been eating too much. I will not go on a diet.

I have been studying all month. I will continue to study hard because I really want to excel.

I have been practicing my vocals all morning. I won’t stop until I’m satisfied.

I have been eating apples all morning. I can’t get enough of this fruit.

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