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).

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


Practice

Complete the sentences with the positive, negative or question form of the present perfect continuous for the verb in brackets:

.
1)
She    the bus to work while her car is being repaired. (take)

 
2)
Tom and Sarah    to London since they moved to the country. (not go)

 
3)
I    for my keys all morning but I still can’t find them. (look)

 
4)
   you    English for long? (study)

 

Further practice

Complete the sentences with the present perfect continuous:
.
1)
I ____ money for my holiday.
 

 

2)
They ____ the roads for weeks.
 

 

3)
We ____ for long.
 

 

4)
James and Simon ____ every night this week.
 

 

5)
____ all weekend?
 

 

6)
Anna ____ in Canada since 2004.
 

 


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