The verb phrases have been, has been, and had been all have closely related meanings. That similarity may at times lead to confusion about the right time to use each construction.
In today’s review we will discuss the differences among the phrases so you can use each one correctly when you are speaking or writing.
When and How to Use Have Been or Has Been
Have been and has been are verb constructions that are used in the present perfect tense and the present perfect progressive tense.
The present perfect tense identifies an action or a state that took place at an unspecified time in the past. The present perfect progressive expresses an ongoing activity that started in the past and continues into the present.
Examples
I have been to that city. (present perfect)
Shane has not been working on the tractor of late. (present perfect progressive)
We would use have been when the sentence subject is I, you, we, or the third person plural (the children have been studying grammar all morning; they have been studying all morning).
If the sentence subject is a third-person singular noun (he, she, it, Courtney), we would use the phrase has been.
Examples
Courtney has been a team leader before. (present perfect)
It has been drifting through my mind lately. (present perfect progressive)
As you can see, have been and has been have the same related usage and meaning. The main difference between them is the form that is determined by the subject performing the action.
When and How to Use Had Been
Had been is similar to have been and has been, except that it identifies actions that both began and ended in the past. It is used in the past perfect and past perfect progressive tenses. Where have been and has been suggest a past point in time that remains open and unfinished, had been indicates something that is closed and completed.
Examples
Until Roger became manager, the repair records had been vague at best. (past perfect)
I had been feeling sad before my parents gave me a puppy. (past perfect progressive)
In these examples, the verb refers to something that both started and ended in the past.
Pop Quiz
Fill in each blank with the proper use of have been, has been, or had been according to the tense given.
1. Nicole _____ working hard these days to improve her grades at school. (present perfect progressive)
2. We _____ dreaming about this day for months. (present perfect progressive)
3. The team _____ on a three-game losing streak before tonight’s win. (past perfect)
4. I don’t know anyone else who _____ to the new theater production yet. (present perfect)
5. I _____ thinking a lot about my future lately. (present perfect progressive)
Pop Quiz Answers
1. Nicole has been working hard to improve her grades at school.
2. We have been dreaming about this day for months.
3. The team had been on a three-game losing streak before tonight’s win.
4. I don’t know anyone else who has been to the new theater production yet.
5. I have been thinking a lot about my future lately.
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What is the difference between “have been, has been and had been“?
Are you struggling to use the correct form when you’re speaking or writing in English? In this lesson we’ll learn about the difference between have been, has been and had been.
Remember the best way to be learning grammar is using it! When you make practice, you will able to develop better understanding the use of each grammatical structure and apply this to your everyday life when you are speaking or writing in English.
Have Been | Has Been | Had Been | |
---|---|---|---|
Form | Present Perfect Continuous | Present Perfect | Past Perfect |
Meaning | Action started in the past and continues to the present | Action started in the past and continues to the present | -Action started and finished before another past action -“Had been,”, suggests an action that both began and ended in the past. |
Pronoun | I/You/We/They | She/He/It | I/You/He/She/It/We/They |
Example | They have been studying for 3 hours. (still studying) | He has been studying for 3 hours. (still studying) | -I had been studying for 3 hours before leaving my room.
-He had been studying for an hour before he decided to stop. |
Difference between “Have Been & Has Been”
‘Has been’ and ‘have been’ suggest an action that started in the past, but continues in the present.
When we are talking about the present:
If the subject of a sentence is I – You – We – They or a plural noun (cars, birds, children) we use ‘have been‘.
Examples:
☛A total of five cars have been stolen from the city center.
☛Birds have been following me all day long.
☛Children have been playing since morning. (still playing)
If the subject of the sentence is He – She – It or a singular noun (car, bird, child) we use ‘has been‘.
Examples:
☛My car has been stolen from the city center.
☛This bird has been following me all day long.
☛A child has been playing since morning.
Check Also:
Have, Has, Had, Have Got, Has Got Difference ✓
25+ Common Proverbs and Their Meanings in English
Present Perfect or Past Simple Difference and Exercises 📓
Usage of “Had Been”
When we are talking about the past: for any subject (I, You, He, She,It, We, They) we use ‘had been‘.
“Had been,”, suggests an action that both began and ended in the past.
We use the past perfect continuous to indicate that something started in the past and continued up until another time in the past.
To show time reference “for” and “since” are used and it describes when the action started and how long it continued in the past.
“For ten minutes”, “for five weeks”, “for two months” are durations which can be used with the past perfect continuous.
Examples:
☛I had been reading articles on English language for three hours.
☛How long had you been studying English before you moved to London?
☛I had been shopping with my wife in the market since morning.
☛She had been shopping in that bazaar before you came home.
☛Children had been playing baseball in that field before it started to rain. (not anymore)
Difference between ‘Have been’ – ‘Had been’
Present perfect ‘have/has been ‘ is used when describing an action completed in the recent past and still assumes importance in the present.
We use ‘had been’ when you describe something that happened in the past before something else in the past. Also an action that had happened in the past and does not reflect any continuation to the present time.
Example: By 500 AD, the Roman Empire had been defeated.
Present Perfect Continuous / Have been -ing
We used Present Continuous to express an action we are doing now.
You are reading a book now. (Present Continuous)
The Present Perfect Continuous Tense is used for an action that started in the past and still continues. The action started in the past, continues now, and perhaps will continue in the future.
You have been reading a book for three hours.
You started reading books two hours ago and is still reading now. Maybe you will continue to read.
Go to Have Been, Has Been, Had Been QUIZ HERE.
☞You can find more English quizzes on quizyourenglish.com
Is it correct to start a sentence with «Have been»?
Have been looking into the issue since last week.
edit: fixed missing word since.
asked Aug 29, 2016 at 20:21
JayJay
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As noted in some other answers, it is a sentence fragment, but that doesn’t disqualify it as standard usage since so much of what we actually say is fragmentary. That said, I think it is an unidiomatic usage. The more typical truncation would leave off the «have» as well: «Been looking into it since last week.» This is purely a conversational usage. I can’t imagine it occurring in writing except as dialogue.
answered Aug 29, 2016 at 20:56
In English, that is a sentence fragment as there is not noun. In some languages, such as Spanish, were verbs are conjugated by noun, this can be acceptable. In English however, it is not. The easiest approach is to ask «Who has been looking into the issue?» The sentence does not tell you, therefore it is a fragment, not a complete sentence.
answered Aug 29, 2016 at 20:28
dlbdlb
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Present Perfect Continuous. I have been doing
Present Perfect Continuous — the time that is used to describe an action in the process that has occurred and continues to occur (or has just completed).
Keys to Understanding Time Present Perfect Continuous:
1. The action is in progress (hence the link to the Continuous group).
2. The process began in the past and continues to the present (hence the connection with the Perfect group)
Examples. I have been living in Kiev since 1975. — I (already) live in Kiev since 1975.
I live and continue to live in Kiev, the process has begun and continues!
How long have you been studying Spanish? — How long have you (already) been learning Spanish?
In these examples, the word already is very important, which is invisibly present in the constructions Present Perfect Continuous… Those. the process continues from the past to the present.
Present Perfect Continuous Education
Present Perfect Continuous formed with an auxiliary verb to be in Present Perfect (have been, has been) and the form —ing semantic verb.
Present Perfect Continuous Forms
Affirmative form | Interrogative form | negative form |
I / We / You / They have been living | Have I / we / you / they been living? | I / We / You / They have not (haven’t) been living |
He / She / It has been living | Has he / she / it been living? | He / She / It has not (hasn’t) been living |
Examples.
He has been playing football all day. — He plays football all day.
I’ve been waiting for you for two hours. — I’m waiting for you for two hours.
1. The action began in the past, continues to the present, and may continue in the future
Example I’ve been doing my work for three weeks. — I’ve been doing my job for three weeks.
Those. I did and continue to do.
2. The action ended recently or just recently
Example
I’ve been looking for you a whole hour. — I’ve been looking for you (already) for an hour.
I was looking for you, but now I have found you, so I am no longer looking. The action has just ended.
Difference between Present Perfect Continuous and Present Continuous
Present Perfect Continuous | Present continuous |
I have been doing | I am doing |
I have been working hard all week. — I’ve been working hard (already) all week. The action began in the past and continues to the present. | I’m working. — I’m working now. There is no connection with the past! |
The difference is that Present continuous there is no connection with the past, but Present Perfect Continuous began in the past and continues to the present.
Difference between Present Perfect Continuous and Present Perfect
Present Perfect Continuous | Present Perfect |
I have been doing | I have done |
I have been reading a book for a month. — I’ve been reading the book (already) for a month. Important process, not the result! | I’ve read a book. — I read the book. Important result — I read! |
He’s been writing articles all day. — He writes an article all day. We’ve been playing basketball for three hours. — We’ve been playing basketball for (already) three hours. how long the action takes place. | He’s written three articles today. — Today he wrote three articles. We’ve played basketball two times this week. — We played basketball three times this week. how everything is done or how many times the action takes place. |
Present Perfect Continuous shows how long the action takes, and Present Perfect — how many times.
For Present Perfect Continuous the process is important, and for Present Perfect — result!
Source: http://www.dinternal.com.ua/grammar/present-perfect-continuous/
Present Perfect Continuous — rules and examples
In this article, we will study in detail the rules and examples of Present Perfect Continuous. It expresses a long-term action that has just completed or is still ongoing. Let’s also compare Present Perfect Continuous with Present Perfect, Present Continuous and Past Continuous and figure out when to use them.
Present Perfect Continuous time is translated into Russian as «present perfect for a long time.» Don’t be intimidated by such a long name. In fact, it is not so difficult to deal with it, especially if you have already mastered Present Perfect well. Let’s start with the formation of Present Perfect Continuous and then move on to rules and examples.
Present Perfect Continuous and Present Perfect
Let’s talk about the difference between Present Perfect Continuous and Present Perfect. Compare examples and rules in the table below.
Present Perfect Continuous Present Perfect
Emphasis on duration of action. It doesn’t matter if the action is over or not. have been cleaned the kitchen all morning. I am very tired. — I AM cleaned kitchen all morning. I’m very tired. She has been doing homework all evening. — Mary is very diligent. She makes homework all evening. | Emphasis on the result of an action. Action completed I have cleaned the kitchen. It is as good as new now. — I AM removed kitchen. She can go out because she has done her homework. — She can go for a walk, because has done homework. |
The action is still ongoing or has just ended. May I ask how long? (how long?) I have been watching the last season of “Game of Thrones” since yesterday. — I AM look the last season of Game of Thrones since yesterday. have been hitchhiking for seven years. — They hitchhiking for seven years now. | Action completed. Can I ask how much questions? (how many?), how many times? (how many times?), how often? (how often?) I have watched the last episode of “Game of Thrones” three times. — I AM looked the last episode of Game of Thrones three times. have never hitchhiked in my life. — I AM never in life did not hitchhike. |
There are verbs that are not used in the continuous form (Continuous). Since these verbs describe not the action itself, but the state of the object, they are called stative verbs. There are many examples of such verbs. To make them easier to remember, the following groups can be distinguished:
- emotions, feelings: love (to love), hate (to hate), want (to want), (like);
- physical perception: see (to see), hear (to hear), seem (to seem);
- thought processes: know (to know), believe (to believe), remember (to remember);
- possession, possession: have (to have), own (to own), belong (to belong);
- others: be, contain, need, etc.
If the action began in the past, but has not yet ended, we usually use Present Perfect with state verbs, and not Present Perfect Continuous.
How long Have you owned this house? — How long have you do you own this house?
I‘ve known him since we were kids. — I AM I know him from childhood.
Some of the above verbs can still be used in Present Perfect Continuous, but their meanings will be different. For example: think (reflect), see (meet, see), mean (intend, want), have as part of the expression (to have a shower — take a shower, to have breakfast — have breakfast). Compare:
She has been thinking about your offer all night long. — She thought about your offer all night.
I have thought, until now, that you were an honest man. Now I see that you are a cheater. — Until this moment I thoughtthat you are an honest person. Now I see that you are a crook.
I have been having strange dreams for about three weeks. — To me dream strange dreams for about three months.
I have had such a problem before. — I have was such a problem before.
We have been seen each other since Christmas. We are in love. — We meet since Christmas. We are in love.
I Have fair seen Derek at the bar. — I have just saw Derek is at the bar.
There are a number of verbs in English that have process-related meanings. They are called durable verbs: live, work, teach, study, feel and others. These verbs can be used both in Present Perfect Continuous and Present Perfect when we talk about actions that began in the past and continue in the present.
Aborigines have been living here for thousands of years. /Aboriginals have lived here for thousands of years. — Aborigines Live in here for thousands of years.
I have been feeling really depressed lately. /I have felt really depressed lately. — I AM feel like very depressed lately.
She has been studying
Source: https://englex.ru/present-perfect-continuous-tense/
Present Perfect Continuous. Real perfect long lasting
Present Perfect Continuous (present perfect continuous tense) is used in two main meanings, that is, it means:
№ 1
The action that started in the past has been going on for a while and is still going on… This uses the words for (within) or since (since since):
for example, for two weeks, for five minutes, for an hour, since yesterday, since 5 o’clock, since Wednesday.
I have been living in London for two years. — I have been living in London for two years.
I came to live in London, lived for a while and still live.
It has been raining since morning. — It has been raining since morning.
It started raining in the morning, it has been raining for a while and is still falling.
Please note that in this meaning, Present Perfect Continuous is translated into Russian as a verb that answers the questions what am I doing? what is he doing? what are they doing? what are we doing?
№ 2
An action that began in the past lasted for a period of time and has just ended, and the result of this actionobvious… We can see, hear, feel that something has recently happened. In this case, the words are often used late и recently (recently, recently).
I ran. Therefore, I am very tired. — I have been running. So I am very tired.
I ran for a while, but now I’m done, as a result — I feel tired.
It was raining. The sidewalk is wet. — It has been raining. The pavement is wet.
It rained for some time, but it ended, as a result — we see a wet sidewalk.
Look, in this meaning, Present Perfect Continuous is translated into Russian as a verb that answers the questions what did you do? what did you do? what they were doing?
Statement
I have been working since morning. — I’ve been working since the morning.
We have been working since morning. — We have been working since the morning.
you have been working since morning. — You work in the morning.
(You work in the morning.)
They have been working since morning. — They work in the morning.
He Has Been working since morning. — He works in the morning.
She Has Been working since morning.
— She works in the morning.
Note that the auxiliary verb has used only in 3 liters. units h (with pronouns he, she, it). How to add to a verb ending -ing, read here.
Denial
Negation is formed with a particle Noteafter the auxiliary verb Have / has:
I have not been working since morning. — I have not been working since the morning.
We have not been working since morning. — We don’t work since morning.
you have not been working since morning. — You have not been working since the morning.
(You don’t work since morning.)
They have not been working since morning. — They don’t work in the morning.
He has not been working since morning. — He hasn’t been working since the morning.
She has not been working since morning.
— She’s not working since the morning.
The auxiliary have / has is shortened in negative form as follows:
have not = haven’t (I have not been working = I haven’t been working)
has not = hasn’t (He has not been working = He hasn’t been working)
Questions
For education questions Have / has placed before the subject:
Have I Been working since morning? — Have I been working since morning?
Have we Been working since morning? — We work in the morning?
Have you Been working since morning? — Do you work in the morning? (Do you work since morning?)
Have they Been working since morning? — Do they work in the morning?
you he Been working since morning? — Does he work in the morning?
you she Been working since morning? — She works in the morning?
It is important to remember that there are verbs that are not used in the Continuous tenses. With such verbs, Present Perfect is used instead of Present Perfect Continuous.
Still have questions on the topic? Ask them in the comments.
Source: https://myefe.ru/reference/verbs/tenses/present-perfect-continuous
The present long perfect time (Present Perfect Continuous) combines two signs, one of which came from Present Continuous, and the other from Present Perfect
1. Shows that the action began in the past and continues to this day in the present:
Amy has been reading the book all day
2. Shows the reason for the currently available result and has a connection with the present:
The ground is wet. It has been raining — The ground is wet. It was raining (The ground is wet — the result is now, because it was raining — the reason)
Let’s look at the features of education and the use cases of Present Perfect Continuous in the article.
How is Present Perfect Continuous formed?
Affirmative sentence Interrogative sentence Negative sentence
I have been cooking a dinner since 5 o’clock | Have I been cooking a dinner since 5 o’clock? Have I been cooking dinner since 5 o’clock? | I haven’t been cooking a dinner since 5 o’clock. |
She has been cooking a dinner since 5 o’clock | How long has she been cooking a dinner? How long has she been making dinner? | She hasn’t been cooking a dinner since 5 o’clock |
Legend:
Ving — semantic verb with the ending -ing S — subject; QW — question word (how long, what, etc.);
Have / has been– auxiliary verb (depends on the subject)
Formation of affirmative sentences in Present Perfect Continuous
Affirmative sentences in Present Perfect Continuous are formed using the subject, the auxiliary verb have been or has been and the semantic verb with the ending -ing.
Has been used with 3rd person singular (He, she, it)
Have been used in all other cases.
My parents have been decorating our house since morning — My parents have been decorating our house since morning
Amy has been working on the project since 4 o’clock — Amy has been working on the project since 4 hours
You can use abbreviations: Have been = ‘ve been Has been =’ s been
We’ve been waiting for him for an hour.
Formation of interrogative sentences in Present Perfect Continuous
Interrogative sentences in Present Perfect Continuous are formed by analogy with affirmative sentences, but have / has is placed in the first place:
Have you been living in Italy for 3 years? — Have you been living in Italy for 3 years?
Has it been raining since morning? — It’s been raining since morning?
If we want to ask a special question, then a question word should be put before the auxiliary verb:
Where have you been living for 3 years? — Where have you been living for the third year?
Formation of negative sentences in Present Perfect Continuous
Negation in Present Perfect is formed using the auxiliary verb have / has been with the particle not: have not been = haven’t been
has not been = hasn’t been
My sister hasn’t been teaching Spanish since 2016 — My sister hasn’t been teaching Spanish since 2016
When is Present Perfect Continuous used?
There are phrases (a kind of time markers) that indicate to us the use of Present Perfect Continuous:
Preposition Time period (example) Translation
Since | 5 o’clock | from 5 o’clock |
yesterday | since yesterday | |
2012 | c 2012 of the year | |
last week | from last week | |
last month | since last month |
Source: https://learning-way.ru/blocks/grammar/verb/tenses/present-perfect-continuous.html
Present Perfect Continuous — present perfect continuous time
How Present Perfect Continuous is formed. What is the role of Present Perfect Continuous in the proposal and what does it have to do with the present sovereign and the present continuous tenses. Typical words that are often used with the present perfect tense. Word order in storytelling, questioning, and denial with Present Perfect Continuous.
English grammar lessons
Learning grammar, as well as developing vocabulary, is an inevitable necessity when learning any foreign language, especially when you need not only the skill of speaking, but also the ability to write correctly.
It is for the subsequent good presentation of thoughts on paper that deep and solid knowledge of grammar is needed, tk.
this is the toolkit with which you will write your future masterpiece — it does not matter if it is an article, scientific report, dissertation, instruction, play, or just an essay.
lectures on Present Perfect Continuous and other times
Unfortunately, or fortunately, grammar is a rather abstract subject and reading books does not always help in learning it. Moreover, the problem of serious textbooks (especially post-Soviet authors) is their saturation with special terms, confusion, and sometimes just a chaotic presentation of the material.
After reading such tomes, there are more questions than answers, not to mention the fact that the student both did not understand and does not understand the essence of many of the topics set out in them. Apparently, therefore, no matter how strange it may seem, there is a myth in many minds that English grammar is incredibly difficult and it is better not to waste time on it, which, of course, is fundamentally wrong.
Moreover, English grammar is much simpler than, say, Russian, but at the same time it is somewhat peculiar, therefore, when studying some topics, it is impossible in principle to draw any analogies with Russian, Ukrainian, Polish. This is probably the reason for the massive rejection of many topics, the mastery of which is necessary for full-fledged writing and communication. This is what the videos on the most important topics of English grammar are designed to fix.
Here you can watch videos on English grammar for free, download, watch screenshots and, in general, plunge headlong into this brave new world, gaining both knowledge and pleasure, since watching is always easier than reading. Enjoy.
One last thing: why do we need screenshots?
Of course, watching a video on English grammar is very convenient, but there is not always time for this. In addition, if you consider the video as a mini-lecture, it would be nice to have before your eyes the entire «board» with the notes made during this very mini-lecture. The screenshot is a kind of summary that allows you to look at the material presented in the video, which is called “from a bird’s eye view,” and make your own generalizations and conclusions.
Source: http://freestudio21.com/present-perfect-continuous-tense/
Present perfect continuous rules, examples, sentences
Present Perfect Continuous formed using an auxiliary verb to be in the form of Present Perfect ( have been, has been ) and the present participle of a semantic verb — present participle (ing-the form)
Interrogative Present Perfect Continuous is formed by setting the first auxiliary verb before the subject, and the rest of the tense form after the subject, and negative — using the particle -not, which is placed after the first auxiliary verb.
Affirmative form | Interrogative form | negative form | ||||
+ have / has been + IV | Have / Has been + IV? | have / has not been + IV | ||||
I have (= I’ve) have been playing. I’m playing. ( already with ) | Have I’ve been playing? Am I playing? | I have not (= I haven’t) have been playing. I do not play. | ||||
HeSheIt | Has Been playing= (‘s been playing) | you | hesheit | Been playing? | HeSheIt | has not been playing= (hasn’t been playing) |
WeyouThey | have been playing= (‘ve been playing) | Have | weyouthey | Been playing? | WeyouThey | have not been playing= (haven’t been playing) |
The meaning and use of Present Perfect Continuous
1) Present Perfect Continuous Tenseused to express a long-term action that began in the past and is still taking place at the present time… In this case, the period during which the action is performed is always indicated.
The duration of the action is indicated by circumstances such as for (during), for a long time, all day, all day long, how long, and the beginning of the action — turns with the preposition since (since, since) — since 1987, since five o’clock.
Examples of using present perfect continuous:
How long have you been doing bodybuilding? — How long have you been doing bodybuilding
I’ve been doing bodybuilding for six years already — I’ve been doing bodybuilding for 6 years
How long have you been living here? — How long have you lived here
We’ve been living here for a year only. — We only live here one year
I’ve been living in England since 1955. — I’ve been living in England since 1955
2) Present Perfect Continuouscan be used without specifying the duration of actionif it is clear from the context that the action began in the past and has continued (or continues) to the present.
Do not payattention to my
I’ve been repairing my car — I am repairing my car
Why are your eyes red? — Why do you have red eyes?
I’ve been cutting onions. — I cut the bow
You are not well to-day. You look distressed. You have been weeping — you are not getting well today. You look miserable. You were crying
3) With verbs that are not used in the Continuous form, in the meaning of Present Perfect Continuous are used Present Perfect forms.
How long have you been here? — How long have you been here?
I’ve been here since 2 o’clock. — I’ve been here since 2 o’clock
I’ve known Tony for two years. “I’ve known Tony for five years.
4) If we are talking about an ordinary, constant action inherent in the subject, i.e. which occurs in general, and not at the moment of speech, then when indicating the duration of the action, along with the Present Perfect Continuous, the Present Perfect is used. The use of Present Perfect Continuous emphasizes the duration of the action, while the Present Perfect emphasizes the fact of the action.:
Has not been living in Moscow for five years = He has lived in Moscow for five years — He has been living in Moscow for (already) five years.
Often there is almost no difference between Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous in this sense.:
I’ve worked for the same company for twelve years. — I worked in the company for 12 years
I’ve been working for the same company for twelve years. — I worked in the company for 12 years
But in the suggestions below, the difference between Present Perfect Tense and Present Perfect Continuous Tense is dramatic: a sentence with Present Perfect shows the completeness of the action; Present Perfect Continuous indicates the duration, incompleteness of the action:
I’ve been watching TV show (= I haven’t finished it). — I’m watching the program (i.e. I’m in the process).
I’ve watched TV show (= I’ve finished it). — I watched the program. (I finished watching her.)
I’ve been learning Spanish all afternoon. — I study Spanish all day.
I’ve learned Spanish (= I know it). — I learned Spanish. (I know him.)
5) The Present Perfect Continuous Tense is also used for expression of an action that lasted for a certain period of time, but ended immediately before the moment of speech and is associated with the present tense by its result… The period of time during which the action was performed may or may not be specified. In these cases, Present Perfect Continuous is translated into Russian by the past tense of the imperfective verb:
Source: https://englishart.ru/present-perfect-continuous/
The Present Perfect Continuous Tense. Time consumption and education
The present perfect for a long time is used for:
- emphasizing the importance of the duration of an action that began in the past and continues to this day. Bill has been teaching for the University since September. Bill has been at the university since September.
- descriptions of an action that began and ended in the past and the results of this action are evident in the present. She is happy because she has been watching her favorite anime all day. She is happy because she has been watching her favorite anime all day long.
- expressions of anger, irritation, criticism about an action that was repeated more than once. She has been using my computer without asking me. She used my computer without permission.
- expressions of repetitive actions in the past that continue to the present. She has put on weight because she’s been eating junk food every day since last week. She gained weight because she’s been eating fast food every day since last week.
Education time
The present perfect long tense is formed with the help of an auxiliary verb have + been(has + been in 3rd person singular — he, she, it) and semantic verb with ending -ing:
- I / you / we / they have been waiting here for over one hour! I / you / you / we / they have been waiting here for over an hour!
- He / she / it has been waiting here for over one hour! He / she / it has been waiting here for over an hour!
Negative sentence formed with an auxiliary verb have (has) + not (not) + been and semantic verb with ending -ing:
- I / you / we / they have not been watching TV much lately. I haven’t watched much TV lately.
- He / she / it has not been watching TV much lately. He hasn’t watched much TV lately.
For education interrogative sentence the first place in the sentence is the verb have (has) + pronoun (subject) + been + semantic verb ending in -ing: (if an interrogative sentence begins with an interrogative word (What? Who? When? Why? Which? Whose?), then the verb have (has) takes the second place in the sentence).
- Has she been watching TV much lately? Has she watched a lot of TV lately?
- What have you been doing? What did you do?
NB! In The Present Perfect Continuous Tense, it is possible to use a short form of the verb have / has with a pronoun:
I’ve, you’ve, he’s, she’s, it’s, we’ve, they’ve.
Signal words (time markers, clue words)
For the present perfect long time, the following circumstances of the time are characteristic:
-
- since — from this moment;
- for — throughout;
- today — today;
- this week / month / year — this week / this month / this year;
- lately — recently, recently (about months, years);
- recently — recently, recently (about days, weeks);
- these days — the other day.
Source: https://engfairy.com/the-present-perfect-continuous-tense-nastoyashhee-sovershennoe-dlitelnoe-vremya-upotreblenie-i-obrazovanie-vremeni/
Present Perfect Continuous: how it is formed and what action expresses, principles and examples of the use of time, description of examples with translation
27.06.2019
We think you have already studied English tenses from the Present group: Present Simple, Present Continuous and Present Perfect. Today we invite you to get acquainted with the latest time from this group — Present Perfect Continuous Tense (Present Perfect Continued Time).
How is Present Perfect Continuous Tense formed?
Let’s analyze the name of this time and try to guess how it was formed. The name contains the word Perfect, which means that we need the auxiliary verb have / has (moreover, the present tense form, since it is Present), there is also the word Continuous, which means that there must be a verb to be and an imperfect participle (ING- new form of the verb). Quite right!
What action does Present Perfect Continuous Tense express?
- This time expresses an action that started in the past, continued for some time and continues to this day — either just ended and there is a result.
- “I have been learning English for 3 years” — which means I started learning English in the past, studied for three years and still study it — I have been learning English for 3 years.
Consider another example. — The sun is shining, but the earth is somehow wet.
— It was raining.
That is, it started raining in the past, it rained for a while and just stopped, and there is a result: the ground is wet. It has been raining.
- Your face is dirty. What have you been doing? — You have a dirty face, what did you do?
- He’s so tired. He has been working in the garden. — He’s so tired. He worked in the garden.
The prepositions FOR and SINCE
The time interval during which the action takes place is introduced using the prepositions of time FOR — «during» and SINCE — «from (some time)»
- He has been writing his new book for two years already. — He has been writing his new book for 2 years already.
- Here you are at last! I have been waiting for you for half an hour! — And here you are at last! I’ve been waiting for you for half an hour.
- Granny has been making pancakes since morning. — Grandma bakes pancakes in the morning
- My uncle has been writing poems since his childhood. — My uncle has been writing poetry since childhood.
Accordingly, if we are interested in how long the action takes place, we will ask a question using the interrogative word “How long how long«And use Present Perfect Continuous Tense:
- How long has Alan been looking for a job? — How long has Alan been looking for a job?
- How long has it been raining? — How long has it been raining?
- Verbs have, be, know instead of Present Perfect Continuous they are used in Present Perfect Simple: • I have known Tom since our childhood — I have known Tom since childhood • We have been at the seaside for two weeks — We have been on the coast for 2 weeks. • I have had this car for three months already. — I have this car for three months
Present Continuous vs Present Perfect Continuous Tense
In Present Continuous Tense, the action takes place at the moment, now:
- Mother is cooking dinner — Mom is cooking dinner (the action takes place now)
In Present Perfect Continuous Tense, the action has already been taking place for some time and at the moment is either still happening or has just ended:
- Mother has been cooking dinner for two hours. — Mom prepares lunch for 2 hours (the action took place over 2 hours and is happening at the moment)
- Mother is tired, she has been cooking dinner. — Mom is tired, she was preparing dinner. (the action has been going on for some time and has just ended)
Comparison of Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous Tense
Source: https://tutorblog.ru/drugoe/present-perfect-continuous-pravila-ispolzovaniya-nastoyashhego-sovershennogo-prodolzhennogo-vremeni.html
Present Perfect Continuous — present perfect long time
Perfect Continuous times are used to denote a process that began and lasted for some time until a certain moment in the present, past or future.
Time Present Perfect Continuous indicates an action that started in the past, continued for some time, and either ended immediately before the conversation or is still ongoing at the time of the conversation.
I have been waiting here for 2 hours!
I waited here for two hours!
We have been preparing for our exam since morning.
We have been preparing for the exam since morning.
Present Perfect Continuous Education
Affirmative suggestions:
I have been playing | We have been playing |
You have been playing | You have been playing |
He/she/it has been playing | They have been playing |
Interrogative sentences:
Have I been playing? | Have we been playing? |
Have you been playing? | Have you been playing? |
Has he/she/it been playing? | Have they been playing? |
Negative suggestions:
I have not been playing | We have not been playing |
You have not been playing | You have not been playing |
He/she/it has not been playing | They have not been playing |
To put a verb in the tense form Present Perfect Continuous, auxiliary verb required to be in the Present Perfect tense and the present participle (V-ing form) of the semantic verb.
To be in time Present Perfect has two forms:
- have been — 1st and 2nd person units. h. and all forms of pl. h
- Has been — 3rd person unit h
Present participle (Participle I) can be obtained by adding the ending to the initial form of a significant verb -ing:
jump — jumping
live — living
В interrogative sentence auxiliary to have is put in place in front of the subject, and the rest of the predicate is located after it:
I smell tobacco. Have you been smoking?
I smell tobacco. Have you smoked?
you she have been using my car again?
Was she using my car again?
В negative sentences behind the auxiliary verb to have followed by a negative particle Note:
It has not been snowing here since 1993.
There has been no snow here since 1993.
Cases of using Present Perfect Continuous:
- The action that started in the past has been going on for some time and is still going on at the moment of the conversation:
The workers have been trying to move our wardrobe for half an hour, go help them.
The workers have been trying to move our closet for half an hour, help them.
- The action, which began in the past, continued for some time and ended just before the conversation:
Do you this cake? I have been baking it since morning.
Do you like this pie? I baked it since the morning.
Source: https://www.native-english.ru/grammar/present-perfect-continuous
Present Perfect Continuous — Present Perfectly long
Such a long name for the temporal form as Present Perfect Continuous Tense (present for a very long time) will undoubtedly scare those who are just starting to learn English grammar. It immediately seems that such a long name hides a very complex structure with many incomprehensible rules. In fact, the opposite is true.
If you are already familiar with the temporary forms Perfect and Continuous, then this time will seem like a mere trifle to you, because you will not find anything particularly new either in the design or in the rules of use. As you can imagine, Present Perfect Continuous Tense consists of a combination of elements of the Perfect and Continuous groups.
So, let’s figure out what Present Perfect Continuous Tense is.
Present Perfect Continuous Tense Meaning
What is Present Perfect Continuous Tense?
Present Perfect Continuous Tense, in translation, the present for a very long time, expresses an action or event that began at some point in the past and continues until the present moment of speech, while it can continue at the time of speech, or it could end directly before the moment of speech.
Present Perfect Continuous Tense is translated into Russian either by the present or by the past tense, depending on whether the action ended before the moment of speech or is still ongoing.
Like all tenses of the Continuous group, Present Perfect Continuous Tense is not used with static verbs (verbs that denote states, not actions). In such situations, Present Perfect Tense replaces it.
Present Perfect Continuous Tense is rarely used in both colloquial speech and writing.
Present Perfect Continuous Education Rules
Affirmative sentences in Present Perfect Continuous Tense are formed using the auxiliary verb to be in Present Perfect Tense (have / has been) and the present participle of the semantic verb (verb + ending –ing → Present Participe).
Fake. + have / has been + Present Participe
Interrogative sentences are formed by placing the first auxiliary verb to have in the first place before the subject, the rest of the temporal form remains in its place after the subject.
Have / Has + Authentic + been + Present Participe?
To form negative sentences, the particle not is used, which is placed after the first auxiliary verb to have.
Fake. + have / has + not + been + Present Participe
In colloquial speech, it is customary to use abbreviated forms. For example:
- I have → I’ve [aɪv]
- he has → he’s [hiz]
- has not → hasn’t [ˈhæzənt]
- have not → haven’t [ˈhævənt]
Conjugation Table of the verb tо try in Present Perfect Continuous Tense
Number | Face | Affirmative form | Interrogative form | negative form |
Unit. h. | 123 | I have (I’ve) been tryingYou have (You’ve) been tryingHe / She / It has (He’s / She’s) been trying | Have I been trying?Have you been trying? Has he / she / it been trying? | I have not (haven’t) been tryingYou have not (haven’t) been tryingHe / She / It has not (hasn’t) been trying |
Mn. h. | 123 | We have (We’ve) been tryingYou have (You’ve) been tryingThey have (They’ve) been trying | Have we been trying?Have you been trying?Have they been trying? | We have not (haven’t) been tryingYou have not (haven’t) been tryingThey have not (haven’t) been trying |
Present Perfect Continuous Tense is used:
1. If you want to express a lasting action that started in the past tense and is still going on in the present. As a rule, in this case, it is necessary to indicate the period of time during which the action is performed. This period can be indicated by detailed expressions, prepositional phrases, etc .:
- for an hour (a month, a week) — within an hour (month, week)
- for a long time — long, for a long time
- since 4 o’clock (yesterday, morning) — from 4 o’clock (from yesterday, in the morning)
- since he returned — since he returned
- lately — recently, recently
- these two weeks — these two weeks
- all this year (my life, day long) — all this year (all my life, all day)
Example using “for” and “since”
In translation into Russian, verbs of the imperfect form in the present tense are used. Examples:
- It has been raining since morning — It has been raining since morning
- They have been waiting for the train for half an hour — They have been waiting for the train for half an hour
- I have been thinking of you since I first saw you — I think about you since I first saw you
2. In special questions (if we are talking about the period immediately preceding the moment of speech) that begin with the words:
- how long — how long, how long
- since when — since when
examples:
- How long have you been waiting for us? — How long are you waiting for us?
- Since when has she been learning Spanish? — Since when has she been studying Spanish?
3. If you want to express a long-term action that began in the past tense and ended just before the moment of speech. Moreover, you want to emphasize the duration of the action and the presence of its result at the moment. The period of time during which the action took place may not be indicated. In translation into Russian, imperfective verbs in the past tense are used. Examples:
- Come in! I’ve been looking for you all day — Come in! I’ve been looking for you all day
- Why are you all silent? Have you been talking about me again? — Why are you all silent? Are you talking about me again?
- Her eyes are red. Has she been crying? — She has red eyes. She cried?
Source: https://englishfull.ru/grammatika/present-perfect-continuous.html
Present Perfect Continuous: Everything You Need to Know | English is easy!
The English verb tense Present Perfect Continuous — the present perfect for a long time is used when you need to designate an action that began and lasted for a certain time until a certain moment in the present, past or future.
I have been waiting here for 5 hours! — I waited here for 5 hours!
We have been preparing for our exam since morning. — We have been preparing for the exam since the morning.
Present Perfect Continuous (Progressive) — rarely used in English because:
- It has a long shape.
- Few cases of use.
- Interchangeability. Present Perfect Continius can be easily replaced with Present Perfect without changing the meaning of the statement.
But this does not mean that this time is generally useless. The scope of use of Present Perfect Continuous is really very narrow, but there are cases when it is impossible to replace this time with another. In addition, the correct use of Present Perfect Continius in oral speech sounds very effective.
How Present Perfect Continuous is formed
For Present Perfect Continuous, the rules of education are simple and depend on the form of expression.
Statement
The peculiarity of this tense of English verbs is that it combines two nuances — Perfect and Continuous. The affirmation is constructed using the auxiliary verb «to be» in the Present Perfect — have been (has been). The main verb is the verb + the ending «-ing».
Affirmative sentence in Present Perfect Continuous, examples:
I / We / You / They + have been + verb-ing | He / She / It + has been + verb-ing |
I have been playing. — I’m playing. | He has been laughing. — He’s laughing. |
You have been reading. — You read. | She has been running. — She is running. |
We have been working. — We are working. | It has been working. — It is working. |
They have been waiting. — They expect. |
Denial
To form a negative sentence, the particle «not» must be placed between «have (has)» and «been».
Negative statement in Present perfect continuius, examples:
I / We / You / They + have been + verb-ing | He / She / It + has been + verb-ing |
I have not been playing. — I do not play. | He has not been laughing. — He’s not laughing. |
You have not been reading. — You don’t read. | She has not been running. — She doesn’t run. |
We have not been working. — We do not work. | It has not been working. — It doesn’t work. |
They have not been waiting. — They don’t expect. |
Note that abbreviated forms are sometimes used for the verb «have (has)». So in the statement, this verb is combined with a pronoun:
- You’ve been laughingp.
- She’s been laying.
In a negative statement, «have / has» is combined with «not»:
- We haven’t been running.
- He hasn’t been waiting.
Question
When constructing a question, «have / has» is put in the first place, and «been» remains with the main verb. It turns out the scheme: have (has) + subject + been + main verb.
Affirmative sentence in Present Perfect Continuous, examples:
I / We / You / They + have been + verb-ing | He / She / It + has been + verb-ing |
Have I been playing? — Am I playing? | Has he been laughing? — He’s laughing? |
Have you been reading? — You read? | Has she been running? — She is running? |
Have we been working? — We are working? | Has it been working? — It is working? |
Have they been waiting? — Are they expecting? |
In order to quickly remember this time, it is worth studying the cases of its use in speech.
When Using Present Perfect Continuous
The tenses of English verbs in Present Perfect Continuous have two main functions: the Continuous aspect and the Perfect aspect.
Present perfect continuius is used only in 6 cases:
- To express an action that started in the past, it lasted for some time and continues at the moment. This function demonstrates long-term action from the Continuous aspect:
The workers have been trying to move our bed for half an hour, go help them. — The workers have been trying to move our bed for half an hour, help them.
Usually, when speaking, an indication of the time of action follows, but without clear time boundaries. That is, it is known when the action began, how long it lasted, but it is not known when it will end.
To indicate the time, you need to use the following words and expressions: lately (recently, recently), recently (recently, the other day), quite a while (quite a long time), all day (all day), as well as prepositions for (in current) and since (starting with).
Since this function indicates duration, then the question in Present Perfect Continuous, most often, begins with the grammatical constructions «how long (how long, how long)» and «since when (since when, from what moment)».
— How long has she been learning Italian language? — How long has she been studying Italian?
— She has been learning Italian for eight years. — She has been studying French for eight years.
Translated into Russian, the verb will be in the present tense, because the action continues in the present.
- To express an action that began in the past, lasted for a certain time and ended right before the conversation. This function is from the Perfect aspect. However, in this case, the emphasis is on the fact that the action lasted a certain time in the past:
Do you this cake? I have been baking it since morning. — Do you like this pie? I baked it since the morning.
Here, the validity time may or may not be marked.
We are very tired. We have been walking in the mountains. — We are very tired. We walked in the mountains.
Since it is talking about an action that has already ended, in the Russian translation the verb will be in the past tense.
- It is used with basic verb forms such as «work, live, feel, teach», since these lexemes imply that the action lasts for a long period of time and already becomes a stable state.
I’ve worked here for 25 years. = I’ve been working here for 25 years. — I have been working here for 25 years.
To emphasize the temporality of the situation, Present Perfect Continuous is used.
Source: https://simplenglish.ru/present-perfect-continuous/
The most understandable rules of not quite clear Present Perfect Continuous time
Greetings my beloved readers.
What’s your favorite time in English? I bet you haven’t even thought about the one we’re going to talk about today. A vain, because the Present Perfect Continuous rules are the simplest of all 12 existing ones. Let’s bet that I can convince you of this today. Rules and examples await us both for schoolchildren, for example, grade 8, and for those who are older.
:
Let’s start?
How is formed
There is nothing complicated in the order of formation of this time. The general principle is simple:
Subject + verb to have (has) + been + predicate with the ending –ing + additions and circumstances.
Let’s see some examples:
I have been helping at the golf competition the whole morning. — I helped at the golf competition all morning. (The action continued and only recently ended)
He has been preparing for the test for the whole evening. It’s time to eat something. “She has been preparing for the test all evening. Time for something to eat. (The action continued but ended)
The most important feature in the formation of Present Perfect Continuous is the use of the auxiliary verb have.
- When it comes to the first and second person (I, we, you, you, they), then we put the have form in the sentence.
- When it comes to third parties (he, she, it), then have turns into has.
Let’s break it down in detail in the table.
Affirmative form | |
I have been dancing. | We have been dancing. |
You have been dancing. | You have been dancing. |
He She It has been dancing. | They have been dancing. |
In negative form, the particle not is added to have.
negative form | |
I have not been dancing. | We have not been dancing. |
You have not been dancing. | You have not been dancing. |
He She It has not been dancing. | They have not been dancing. |
And to form a question, you need to move have to the very beginning of the sentence.
Interrogative form | |
Have I been dancing? | Have we been dancing? |
Have you been dancing? | Have you been dancing? |
Has he she it been dancing? | Have they been dancing? |
So, remembering the formation of this time is not so difficult. Therefore, let’s move on to when it is applied in practice.
When Used: Beginner Level
For beginners, there are two main uses to remember.
- Imagine that the action has already started earlier. It lasted for some time, and by the time of the conversation it was over. This is one situation.
Source: https://lizasenglish.ru/grammatika/present-perfect-continuous.html
Present perfect continuous — present perfect continuous tense
Studying English, students can deal with the Perfect and Continuous times for a long time in order to learn how to use them automatically.
Therefore, you can imagine their feelings when they come to such a terrible topic as Perfect Continuous.
These are two times at once, and even such not simple ones! However, these fears are completely in vain, and now we will be convinced of this by the example of Present Perfect Continuous time (pronounced as [present perfect continuus]).
This time is used relatively rarely, since it is often replaced by Present Perfect time, but it is still necessary to know it, because in certain situations it will not be possible to do without it.
Moreover, the correct use of sentences in Present Perfect Continuous will only confirm your high level of knowledge of the language, and therefore will attract praise from native speakers.
Let’s take a look at how this time is formed and used.
Present Perfect Continuous: educational rules
Present Perfect Continuous education is similar to Present Perfect and Present Continuous. To form this tense, two verbs are needed: auxiliary and semantic. The auxiliary verb is to be in the Present Perfect form. It has 2 forms of perfect, depending on the person and number:
IYouWeThey | have been |
HeSheIt | Has Been |
Semantic verbs are formed using Participle I or the present participle. To form it, add the ending –ing to the verb.
Infinitive | V + -ing |
(to) blink | blinking |
(to) strike | striking |
(to)pressure | pressing |
(to) blossom | blooming |
(to) heal | healing |
(to) give | giving |
(to) mumble | mumbling |
(to) walk | walking |
(to)compensate | compensating |
Actually, that’s all. By attaching both parts, you get a verb in Present Perfect Continuous Tense:
have been traveling | traveling |
have been whispering | whisper |
has been wandering | wanders |
has been giggling | giggles |
have been protesting | protest |
has been creating | creates |
Present Perfect Continuous: sentence forms
We figured out the formation of verbs, now let’s see how to make sentences with them in various forms.
Affirmative Sentences with Present Perfect Continuous
The affirmative form Present Perfect Continuous, as always, is standard: first, the subject is used, after the predicate, expressed by auxiliary and semantic verbs. Any minor member can complete the sentence. Table for clarity:
Subject | Predicate | Secondary parts of the sentence |
Auxiliary | Main verb | |
She | has been talking | for 2 hours. |
She’s been talking for two hours. |
Source: https://crownenglishclub.ru/dlya-nachinayushhih/present-perfect-continuous-nastoyashhee-sovershennoe-prodolzhennoe-vremya.html
Present Perfect Continuous — present perfect long time in English
The temporal form of Present Perfect Continuous combines the meanings of a long time (Continuous) and completed (Perfect). It is used to refer to an action that:
- started in the past,
- lasted for some time (not necessarily continuously),
- ended before the moment of speech or is still going on.
That is, it is such an action stretched out in time, which began in the past. I will give examples of life situations that fall under this definition. For convenience, all examples will be in the first person.
I have been living in this house for ten years. — I have lived in this house for ten years.
In this example:
- the action began in the past (ten years ago, when I settled in this house),
- lasted for some time (ten years), and lasted continuously.
- is still going on (I still live in this house).
Let me give you another example. Often the Present Perfect Continuous form is used with the verb to wait.
I have been waiting for you for three hours. “I’ve been waiting for you for three hours.
In this example:
- the action started in the past (an hour ago when I started to wait),
- continuously lasted for some time (hour),
- ended immediately before the moment of speech (now I no longer wait, because I have waited).
Let me give you another example. Here the action does not last continuously.
I have been working here for a week. — I’ve been working here for a week.
It is clear that the “work” action itself did not last continuously for a whole week, day and night, 24 hours a day. It means that the action regularly, on an ongoing basis occurred during this time.
Present Perfect Continuous Education
If you are familiar with other times (otherwise there is no point in studying the times of Perfect Continuosu), the formation of Present Perfect Continuous will be easy to remember. The shape is formed by:
Affirmative form
Single number The many number
1 person | I have been waiting | We have been waiting |
2 person | You have been waiting | You have been waiting |
3 person | He / She / It has been waiting | They have been waiting |
Sample sentences:
I have been waiting for you for a long time. — I’ve been waiting for you for a long time.
Source: https://langformula.ru/english-grammar/present-perfect-continuous/
Lesson 55. Present Perfect Continuous. Present for a very long time in English
Sofia Stalskaya
Higher linguistic education. Work experience 5 years.
In one of the previous lessons, you got acquainted with the temporary form of Present Perfect, denoting the result of an action. Today’s one will be devoted to the Present Perfect Continuous form, which includes both the result and the process. How is this possible? Let’s try to figure it out!
First, compare two examples:
I have read the book. — I read the book. (Present Perfect)
I have been reading a book all the morning. — I’ve been reading the book all morning. (Present Perfect Continuous)
In the first sentence, it is important that the book has already been read (the result of the action), the second indicates the duration of the action — the process of reading, while the action began in the past and continues to this day, or has recently ended.
Rules for using Present Perfect Continuous
So, Present Perfect Continuous is used:
— if necessary, emphasize the duration of an action that began in the past and continues to this day: They have been working in the garden for two hours;
— to indicate an action that began in the past, is still ongoing (or has recently ended) and has an intermediate result: Mary has a stomachache. She has been eating sweets all morning.
Present Perfect Continuous signal words partially repeat those that indicate the use of Present Perfect:
Since (1999, June, Monday) — since
The — during, for a certain period of time
Lately / recently — recently
All morning / week — all morning / week
Important! Present Perfect Continuous indicates not only the result of the action, but also its duration.
Lesson assignments
Task 1. Make sentences using Present Perfect Continuous.
- My parents, live, here, for ten years (+)
- David, work, in a hospital, since 2002 (+)
- You, read, all this time (?)
- How long, it, snow(?)
- Mom, cook, all day long. (+)
- He, feel, well, this week (-)
- My sister, sing, for two hours (+)
- You, talk, to your father (?)
Task 2. Translate into English using Present Perfect Continuous.
- I’ve been waiting for you all morning.
- How long has it been raining?
- I have been studying English for two years.
- Tom has been looking for a job since September.
- You have red eyes. Have you been crying?
- I slept all day.
- How long have you lived in this city?
- Children have been walking in the garden since two o’clock.
Reply 1.
- My parents have been living here for ten years.
- David has been working in a hospital since 2002.
- Have you been reading all this time?
- How long has it been snowing?
- Mom has been cooking all day long.
- He hasn’t been feeling well this week.
- My sister has been singing for two hours.
- Have you been talking to your father?
Reply 2.
- I have been waiting for you all morning.
- How long has it been raining?
- I have been studying English for two years.
- Tom has been looking for a job since September.
- Your eyes are red. Have you been crying?
- I have been sleeping all day.
- How long have you been living in this city?
- The children have been walking in the garden since two o’clock.
Source: https://linguistpro.net/nastoyashhee-sovershenno-dlitelnoe-vremya-v-anglijskom-yazyke
How to Use the Past Conditional
In this quick English lesson about the past conditional tense, I talk about the differences between “Would have been”, “Could have been”, and “Should have been.” These are terms that can seem confusing to new English learners but you can learn to use them properly in your English conversations and your writings.
The past conditional “could have been,” “should have been,” and “would have been” structures often get skipped over in class. They seem quite complicated, but they don’t have to be! In this lesson, I’m going to quickly explain in what situations to use them and how they’re different from regular past tense verbs. I hope this helps to solve your doubts about this part of English grammar.
How to use the Phrase ‘Could Have Been’ in English
First of all, let’s take a moment to talk about pronunciation. Could + have is often shortened into “coulda” when speaking but not in writing.
For example:
“I coulda been a contender” is a famous line from On the Waterfront, a classic 1954 movie.
Now, let’s talk about grammar. “Could” is conditional. “Have + been” marks the past tense. As you may know, conditional grammar expresses an idea that is not real. It didn’t happen. However, we believe if certain conditions were met, then things could have been different.
For example:
“If I had worked harder, I could have been more successful.”
Or
“I could have been more successful if I had worked harder.”
How to use the Phrase ‘Should Have Been’ in English
First of all, let’s take a moment to talk about pronunciation. Should + have is often shortened into “shoulda” when speaking but not in writing.
“I should have been paying more attention to my English teacher but I was daydreaming too much.” This shows that you knew you were supposed to pay closer attention, but just weren’t focused enough on that task.
You know we use “should” to express an opinion. It is like “must” but weaker. Yet, it is stronger than “could.”
Use “should have been” to express what you think should have happened, but did not happen.
Often, you’ll hear this phrase used in arguments or regrets about the past.
For example:
“You should not have lied to me!”
“You should have been more careful!”
How to use the Phrase ‘Would Have Been’ in English
First of all, let’s take a moment to talk about pronunciation. Would + have is often shortened into “woulda” when speaking but not in writing.
For example, you might say something like, “I would have been there for your birthday party but I was sick in bed with the flu.”
This shows that you intended to be there but something came up that prevented you from going.
Things would have been different if another situation or condition had been met. In the above example, if I had not been sick.
You can also use “would have been better” to give advice.
For example:
“It would have been better if you had practiced a bit more before your presentation.”
What About “Must?”
Of course, as English is a language with many possibilities, there are more verbs that can result in different meanings. You may have heard someone say a sentence using the words, “must have been.” This is not a past conditional structure, but rather it is in the present perfect. “Must have been” is used to express an assumption, or an opinion that you gathered from a logical guess. In this case, we are not talking about something that is not true. In fact, we are talking about what we believe to be true (in the past)! To learn more about must vs. have, you might like to watch this English lesson.
If you’re curious about using the present perfect, and how to answer the common question “How have you been?” – click here for my lesson on how to answer this question like a native..
We often receive questions from English learners all over the world! While we cannot always answer every single one in detail, we really appreciate hearing from you and some of your inquiries make for great lesson ideas. In this video, Gabby will explain about could have been, would have been, should have been in English grammar. This was an excellent question from one of our online learners!
SHOULD HAVE BEEN
We use should have been in order to state our opinion.
Examples:
“I feel it should have been me going to Europe for that business trip, not Frank”
“The leader should have been Mary”
“There should have been a buttercream frosting on that cake, it would have been perfect”
WOULD HAVE BEEN
We use would have been is used to explain the logic of events.
Examples:
“The party would have been a disaster if Mary didn’t show up, she had everyone laughing”
“I would have been there but I had to pick up my daughter from school early today”
“Frank would have been here earlier, but he got held up in traffic”
COULD HAVE BEEN
We use could have been in order to discuss potential possibilities.
Examples:
“It could have been a lovely evening, but I had a really bad headache”
“I could have been Queen, had I been born into the royal family”
“Who ate all the cookies? It could have been Mary, she is a bit of a cookie monster”
Watch the video now to hear Gabby explain about could have been, would have been, should have been in English grammar!
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No. «Has been being» would make no logical sense given the meaning of the present perfect tense which in se implies a temporary state that one day may or may not come to an end.
Compare:
«Mary has been pregnant for six months» makes sense:
«Mary has been being pregnant» is an illogical statement which makes
no sense since one either is or is not pregnant.
Compare:
«Tom is being funny,» a temporary state (an idiomatic use of the present progressive
tense); and «Tom is funny,» a personal characteristic (present tense).
«Jack is Ted’s biological father,» is a statement that makes sense since
fatherhood is, in se, a personal characteristic.
«Jack is being Ted’s biological father,» is a statement that makes no sense
since fatherhood is a personal characteristic. Even killing one’s child
would not change this fact.
The idiomatic meaning of tenses has to be respected. The present tense is
used to express a general truth; the present perfect tense is not. The present
progressive tense may be used to describe a passing state of affairs: «Larry has
been working too hard;» «I have not been drinking enough water.»
BEEN is the third form of the verb TO BE. The third form is also called the Past Participle. Let’s see how to use it in a sentence:
- I’ve been married for six years.
- Tom’s been crazy about sports cars all his life.
- They’ve been looking for a flat for months.
- Laura’s been doing yoga since she was eighteen.
- Nick had been married for twenty years when he divorced.
- They had been living in San Fransisco before they moved here.
- I will have been married for ten years in August.
- They will have been living here for six years next month.
- My car has been stolen.
- I’ve been given a pay rise.
- The walls have been painted yellow.
- I love being on my own.
- Stop being so rude.
- Sorry, I can’t pick you up. My car is being repaired.
- I think Tim is being irrational.
Introduction
Present Perfect Tense is a verb tense that is used to show that an action has taken place once or many times before now. The present perfect is most frequently used to talk about experiences or changes that have taken place, but there are other less common uses as well. Read on for detailed descriptions, examples, and present perfect exercises.
Present Perfect Tense is formed by putting “to have ( have or has )” before the past participle of the verb.
ALL the English Grammar Basics You Need
Structure of Present Perfect Tense
POSITIVE FORM (+) :
- S + have/has + V3/ed + O
Present Perfect Tense Examples:
- I have done my homework.
- She has had dinner with her family
- I have already prepared breakfast.
- My sister has cleaned the room.
- It has rained a lot lately.
- She has watched this movie several times.
- He has saved $20.000.000 up until now.
- They have gone fishing until later this evening.
- I have solved 20 questions so far.
- I have already made the coffee.
- You have already eaten four plums.
- I have lived in Texas for 10 years.
- Tom has just come to the office.
- The students have read that poem twice.
- I have never lied in my life.
- I have never been to Germany.
NEGATIVE FORM (-) :
- S + have/has + not + V3/ed + O
Examples:
- I haven’t done my homework.
- She hasn’t completed the assigned work.
- I haven’t seen Susan since Sunday.
- We haven’t received any mail since we were retired.
- I haven’t met before.
- We haven’t gone to watch the new movie.
- It hasn’t stopped.
QUESTION FORM (?) :
- Have/has + S + V3/ed + O?
Examples:
- Have you done your homework?
- Has she visited the children at the orphanage?
- Has the post come yet?
- Hasn’t my mother cooked the dinner yet?
- Have you ever been to England?
- Have you done the essay yet?
POSITIVE(+) | NEGATIVE(-) | POSITIVE QUESTION (?) |
I have seen. | I have not (haven’t) seen. | Have I seen? |
I have seen. | You have not (haven’t) seen. | Have you seen? |
He has seen. | He has not (hasn’t) seen. | Has he seen? |
She has seen. | She has not (hasn’t) seen. | Has she seen? |
It has seen. | It has not (hasn’t) seen. | Has it seen? |
We have seen. | We have not (haven’t) seen. | Have we seen? |
You have seen. | You have not (haven’t) seen. | Have you seen? |
They have seen. | They have not (haven’t) seen. | Have they seen? |
1. Present Perfect Tense is used to express an action that happened at an unspecified time in the past and the impact of the event is now continuing.
( Finished Auctions —-Past Event & Present Result )
Examples:
- She has lost her wallet ( She can’t find it )
- We can’t reach Paul by phone. Have you seen him?
- Tom isn’t at school. I think he has gone to the theater.
- My sister has broken her arm. Her arm is still broken.
2. Present Perfect Tense is used to express an action that ended recently. We often use words like “just” or “recently” for the events taking place a very short time before now.
( Recent Completed Actions )
Examples:
- I have just finished my project.
- My mother has just cleaned the house.
- We have recently eaten dinner.
3. Present Perfect Tense is used to talk about unfinished actions or states or habits that started in the past and continue to the present. In such sentences, it is emphasized that how long the action has continued. So we usually use ‘since’ or ‘for’ to express “how long”. We often use stative verbs / non-continuous verbs / mixed verbs in such sentences).
( Unfinished Actions / Duration from Past until Now )
Examples:
- The student has studied maths for three months.
- I have lived in Paris for five years.
- My son has been sick since Monday.
- He has worked in Berlin since he graduated from the university.
- She haven’t been calm since the accident.
- Teachers have thought this subject for hours.
- They have had many cars since I can remember.
4. Present Perfect Tense is used to express repeated actions in an unspecified time between the past and now.
( Repeated or Multiple Actions at Different Times )
Examples:
- We have watched that movie three times.
- I have seen David several times.
- She have had six exams so far this semester.
- They have called him four times this month.
5. Present Perfect Tense is used when we talk about life experiences.
( Life Experiences )
Examples:
- I have been to England in my life.
- Have you ever eaten Sushi before?
- We have never tried to invent something new.
6. Present Perfect Tense is used when we talk about accomplishments.
( Accomplishments )
Examples:
- My father has spoken five languages.
- Scientists have found a new way to get cancer cells to self-destruct.
- Man has walked on the Moon.
7. Present Perfect Tense is used when we talk about changes that has occurred over periods of time.
( Changes Over Time )
Examples:
- Our english has improved a lot when we moved to England.
- Her behavior and attitudes have changed a lot since you last saw her.
- I have become more interested in medical issues.
Recognition of Present Perfect Tense
The sentence contains the following words:
- Just, recently, lately
- Already, before
- Not….yet
- Never, ever
- Since, for
- So far = until now = up to now
Lesson: Present Progressive Tense
Difference Between For and Since
Sentence Structure: Since and For
Since and For are two prepositions used a lot in English grammar, especially in exams related to the past, simple past, and perfect tenses. However, how to distinguish these two prepositions and how to use them in each specific case?
Since and For are both used in sentences to express a point of time or a period of time. But each word is used in different circumstances.
+ How to use Since in English
Since is used to indicate a point in time when an event or action started to happen, indicating a point in time. Usually will answer the When question and use a lot of perfect tenses.
Example: Since 8 a.m, since July, since 2005,….
+ How to use For in English
For is used to refer to a period of time that an event or action takes place, lasting throughout that period of time. Unlike Since, the preposition for seems to be used in all tenses as well as in response to the question How long…?
Example: For 5 days, for a long time, for 5 years,…
Structure of Since and For
+ Since Structure Grammar
Since + timeline
When Since is in the middle of a sentence: Used to refer to a point in time when an event or action happened.
Example: He has been away since Monday.
When Since at the beginning of a sentence: Used to indicate a reason or just a point in time (since).
Example: Since she wanted to pass her exam, she decided to study well.
+ For Structure Grammar
For + period
Example: We lived in Japan city for 10 years.
Since | For |
10 o’clock | three hours |
Monday | 15 minutes |
20 June | two weeks |
March | four days |
2021 | 5 years |
Christmas | ages |
lunchtime | 2 months |
they came | years |
she got up | a long time |
Ways to use Since and For
+ How to use Since
Since use in perfect tenses
Tenses | Example |
Present Perfect Tense | Jimmy hasn’t slept since last night. |
Present Perfect Continuous Tense | I have been playing badminton since 6 o’clock. |
Past Perfect Tense | I was sad when the store moved. I had worked there since I was 18 years old. |
Past Perfect Continuous | He had been listening to that song every night since it started. |
Since + Simple Past Tense
Micky has liked reading since she was a child.
Since + Time in the past
I’ve lived here since 2021.
Since there
Since there, they have never met together again.
+ How to use For
Here is the usage of for in all tenses.
Tenses | Example |
Present Simple Tense | I play badminton for 2 hours a day |
Present Continuous Tense | I’m watching TV for 1.5 hours |
Present Perfect Tense | They have just slept for 15 minutes |
Present Perfect Continuous Tense | He has been learning new vocabulary for 10 days |
Past Simple Tense | I was born in 1995 |
Simple Future Tense | He will go to the camp for 10 days |
Exercise of Present Perfect Tense
1. I …..(study) English for the last 10 years.
2. They…..(known) each other for 7 years.
3. I…..(sleep) for 30 minutes now.
4. How long you ….(learn) Chinese? I….( learn) it since 2021.
5. He….(buy) that car for 10 months.
6. I…..(sleep) for a long time.
7. We…..(live) here since 2019.
8. He already…..( read) that book for 4 months.
Answers
1. Have studied
2. Have known
3. Have slept
4. Have….learnt/ have learned
5. Has bought
6. Have slept
7. Have lived
8. Has read
Conclusion
Above is all helpful information about the present perfect tense. We wish you all good study!
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