We use the popular present perfect continuous tense for ongoing actions that started in the past. Have been crying, has not been washing, and has been drinking are some examples of verbs in this form.
Take this three-part test to test your understanding of the present perfect continuous tense and the correct forms to use.
What Is the Present Perfect Continuous Tense?
The present perfect continuous, AKA the present perfect progressive tense, shows a verb that began in the past and is continuing at the moment.
We form the present perfect continuous form of the verb using has/have been + present participle form of the verb. Use has for singular subjects and have for plural subjects. The present participle verb form is the root verb + -ing. For example:
- I have been waiting in line since 3 PM.
In this sentence, have is used because the subject is I.
Here are more examples:
- My cat has been licking its tail since this morning.
- We have been cooking lately.
- Her son has been competing in chess tournaments since he was four.