Present perfect continuous
Introduction
We use the present perfect continuous to describe actions that started in the past and are continuing in the present (and will probably continue into the near future).- I have been living in France for five years.
I started living in France five years before now. I am living in France now.
Form
To form the present perfect continuous, we use the verb "have" + "been" + "-ing" form of the main verb| Positive | I / You / We / They |
have
've |
been | living | in France for five years. |
| He / She / It |
has
's |
||||
| Negative | I / You / We / They |
have not
haven't |
|||
| He / She / It |
has not
hasn't |
||||
| question | Have | I / You / We / They | in France for five years? | ||
| Has | He / She / It |
Examples
- I have been reading this book for a week.
I started to read the book a week before now and I’m still reading it.
- She hasn’t been working here for long.
She started working here a short time before now. She is still working here
- Have they been enjoying their holiday?
They started their holiday some time in the past. They are still on holiday.
Practice
Complete the sentences with the positive, negative or question form of the present perfect continuous for the verb in brackets:
.Further practice
Complete the sentences with the present perfect continuous:.
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