Paragraphs

Present Perfect Continuous Tense Examples

3 min read ยท Updated Aug 2026

The present perfect continuous tense shows an action that started in the past and is still going on, and these present perfect continuous tense examples will help students use it correctly. You can also read the future indefinite tense examples to learn another important tense.

Present Perfect Continuous Tense Formula and Structure

~180 words

The present perfect continuous tense is used to describe an action that began in the past and is still continuing at the time of speaking. It is formed with the helping verbs have or has, the word been, and the ing form of the main verb. We use has with singular subjects like he, she, it or a single name, and we use have with I, we, you, they and plural subjects. The structure is subject plus have or has plus been plus verb-ing plus since or for. For example, I have been studying for two hours. For negative sentences, we put not after have or has, such as he has not been sleeping since morning. For interrogative sentences, we bring have or has to the beginning, such as have they been playing since evening. We use since before a point of time, such as morning or 2010, and we use for before a period of time, such as two hours or five days. This tense is very common in daily speech and writing, so students must practise it well.

Examples of Present Perfect Continuous Tense

  1. Positive Sentences
  2. I have been reading this book for two hours.
  3. She has been working in this office since 2020.
  4. They have been playing cricket since morning.
  5. We have been learning English for five years.
  6. He has been living in Dhaka since 2015.
  7. The baby has been sleeping for three hours.
  8. My father has been driving the car since noon.
  9. The children have been making noise all day.
  10. I have been waiting for you since 5 o’clock.
  11. It has been raining since last night.
  12. Negative Sentences
  13. I have not been watching television for a week.
  14. She has not been going to school since Monday.
  15. They have not been playing football for two days.
  16. He has not been taking his medicine since last month.
  17. We have not been visiting the zoo for a long time.
  18. The students have not been doing their homework since Friday.
  19. My mother has not been cooking food for an hour.
  20. You have not been attending the class since yesterday.
  21. Interrogative Sentences
  22. Have you been studying since morning?
  23. Has she been waiting for us for an hour?
  24. Have they been living here since 2010?
  25. Has he been working in this factory since January?
  26. Have we been making noise for a long time?
  27. Has the teacher been teaching the lesson since noon?
  28. Have the boys been playing in the rain for two hours?
  29. Has your sister been learning music since last year?

Tips for Writing Present Perfect Continuous Tense

  • Remember the formula: subject plus have or has plus been plus verb-ing plus since or for.
  • Use has with he, she and it, and use have with I, we, you and they.
  • Use since for a point of time and for for a period of time.
  • For questions, start with have or has followed by the subject.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do we use the present perfect continuous tense?

We use the present perfect continuous tense to show an action that started in the past and is still continuing at the time of speaking.

What is the difference between since and for?

We use since with a point of time such as morning or 2010, and we use for with a period of time such as two hours or five days.