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Learn when to use Present Perfect Continuous tense to express ongoing actions starting in the past and continuing to the present. Discover differences between Simple and Continuous forms with helpful examples. Understand usage rules for action and state verbs.
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Tom says:I’ve beentryingto open myrestaurantforages….Whendidhe start trying?Ishestilltrying?
Mike says:I’ve beentakingclassesforthreemonths…Whendidhe start takingclasses ?Ishestilltakingthem?
Weuse the PresentPerfectContinuous :a) to express anactivitywhichstarted in the past and continuesto the presentI’ve beentryingto open myrestaurantforages….I’ve beentakingclassesforthreemonths……
Ruth says:I’ve beenplayingwithmythreechildrenthismorning and itis a complete messWhendidshe start playing ?Isshestillplaying?
Weuse the PresentPerfectContinuous :a) torefertoanactivitywith a result in the presentThere’s a complete messbecauseI’ve beenplayingwithmythreechildrenthismorning
Simple or Continuous?Sometimesthereislittle or no differencebetween the PresentPerfectSimple and Continuous.How long haveyoutakenclasses?How long haveyoubeentakingclasses?
But…But…The PresentPerfectSimplelooks at the completedaction. So if the sentencegivesa number or a quantitythe Continuousisnotused. I’ve made up lotsofmyownrecipes. I’ve readthreerecipes.
And …Verbsthat express a state, forexample,like, love, know, haveforpossession, are notfound in the PresentPerfectContinuous Wehaveknowneachotherfor a fewweeks Butnotwe’ve beenknowingeachotherforfewweeks How long haveyouhadyourcar? ButnotHow long haveyoubeenhavingyourcar?
Action verbs Rules: We normally use the continuous tenses with action verbs such as : go, do, study, eat, drink, work, etc. Examples She’ going to uni now. ‘What are you doing?’ ‘I’m drinking a cup of tea’. He’s working hard in this period.
State verbs Rules: Wedo notnormallyuse the continuoustenseswith state verbswhich: a) express a state: be, have. Example: I’vehadthis car for.. b)express mentalactivities: I know, believe, forget,etc Example:I’veknowhim for years. c)express emotionalstates: I like, hate, desire, prefer, want, etc. Example:I’vealwayshatedviolence. d)express perception: see, hear, smell Example:Oh, I see.
Both of them : exceptions • Rules: Some verbs can describeaction or states, so in some • casesthey can be used in continuoustenses. • We are having a wonderfulholiday • (herehave=action/experience- can be used in the continuous) • Wehavea lovely room by the sea. • (herehave=possess – can’t be usedin the continuous )
More Rules: Some verbs, suchashate, like, love, in the continuoustensesdescribewhatwefeelat a specific moment. Are youenjoying the film?’ ‘No, I’mhatingit!’ or ‘Yes, I’mlovingit!’
