Present Perfect Continuous – Definition, Structure, and Examples

The Present Perfect Continuous tense is a useful but sometimes confusing aspect of English grammar. It helps us talk about actions that started in the past and are still continuing or have recently stopped. In this article, we’ll define the Present Perfect Continuous tense, explain its structure, and provide you with 100 present perfect continuous tense examples to illustrate its use.

For a complete guide to the present perfect continuous tense in English, visit our awesome article Present Perfect Continuous Tense: A Comprehensive Guide.

Definition

The Present Perfect Continuous tense describes an action that began in the past, continues into the present, and may continue into the future. It focuses on the duration or ongoing nature of the action. This tense often answers questions about how long something has been happening.

Examples:

• She has been studying for three hours.
  (She started studying three hours ago and is still studying.)
• They have been working on the project since Monday.
  (They started working on the project on Monday and are still working on it.)

Structure

The structure of the Present Perfect Continuous tense is:

Subject + have/has + been + verb (-ing form) + (optional time expression)

Examples:

• Subject: She / They
• Have/Has: has / have
• Been: been
• Verb (-ing form): studying / working
• Optional time expression: for three hours / since Monday

Complete Sentences:

• She has been studying for three hours.
• They have been working on the project since Monday.

Examples

Here are 100 present perfect continuous examples to help you understand and practice the Present Perfect Continuous tense:

1. I have been reading this book for two hours.
2. She has been cooking dinner since 5 PM.
3. They have been playing football all afternoon.
4. We have been traveling around Europe for a month.
5. He has been learning French for six months.
6. The kids have been playing outside since lunch.
7. She has been practicing piano for an hour.
8. They have been building the new house for a year.
9. I have been watching this series all day.
10. She has been working out at the gym every day.
11. He has been trying to fix the car since morning.
12. They have been gardening for two hours.
13. We have been discussing the project for a week.
14. She has been painting her room all day.
15. He has been jogging in the park for half an hour.
16. I have been waiting for the bus for twenty minutes.
17. They have been studying for the exam all night.
18. She has been writing her novel for several months.
19. We have been cleaning the house since early morning.
20. He has been fixing the sink for the past hour.
21. She has been reading the same book for weeks.
22. They have been watching movies all weekend.
23. I have been learning to play the guitar for a year.
24. He has been attending online classes for three months.
25. She has been cooking breakfast every morning.
26. We have been exploring new recipes for the last month.
27. They have been practicing their dance routine for hours.
28. I have been organizing my closet since noon.
29. He has been working on his thesis for weeks.
30. She has been knitting a sweater for her friend.
31. They have been planning the party for two months.
32. I have been writing emails all morning.
33. He has been fixing the computer since yesterday.
34. She has been working on her painting for hours.
35. They have been rehearsing for the play all week.
36. We have been talking about this issue for days.
37. I have been searching for a new job for months.
38. He has been repairing the bicycle all afternoon.
39. She has been reading historical novels for a year.
40. They have been designing the new website for weeks.
41. We have been preparing for the presentation since last week.
42. I have been watching online tutorials to learn coding.
43. He has been exploring different hiking trails this summer.
44. She has been making jewelry for a new collection.
45. They have been decorating the house for the holidays.
46. I have been studying hard for the final exams.
47. He has been writing his autobiography for a long time.
48. She has been working on her garden every weekend.
49. We have been participating in community service for years.
50. They have been following the new diet for a month.
51. I have been practicing yoga daily for health benefits.
52. He has been collecting stamps since he was a child.
53. She has been attending painting classes for a few weeks.
54. They have been building a treehouse for their kids.
55. We have been analyzing the data for the research project.
56. I have been exploring new hobbies lately.
57. He has been running marathons for five years.
58. She has been baking bread every Sunday.
59. They have been training for the marathon all year.
60. We have been working on the new software for six months.
61. I have been volunteering at the local shelter since January.
62. He has been practicing his speech for the conference.
63. She has been managing her own business for a decade.
64. They have been experimenting with different art techniques.
65. We have been learning about different cultures in class.
66. I have been planning a surprise party for weeks.
67. He has been reading scientific journals for his research.
68. She has been attending fitness classes regularly.
69. They have been working on their home renovation project.
70. We have been researching the history of the city.
71. I have been taking online courses to improve my skills.
72. He has been growing vegetables in his garden all summer.
73. She has been studying ancient languages for her degree.
74. They have been working with a new team on the project.
75. We have been discussing the book in our study group.
76. I have been learning to cook new dishes from different cuisines.
77. He has been designing his own clothing line for a while.
78. She has been organizing charity events for the community.
79. They have been developing a new app for smartphones.
80. We have been practicing our presentation for the conference.
81. I have been trying out new workout routines.
82. He has been mentoring young entrepreneurs in his field.
83. She has been collecting vintage postcards for years.
84. They have been improving their public speaking skills.
85. We have been making plans for the upcoming vacation.
86. I have been studying the effects of climate change.
87. He has been learning woodworking techniques from tutorials.
88. She has been preparing for her role in the play.
89. They have been exploring new travel destinations.
90. We have been collaborating on a research paper for months.
91. I have been working on my blog for a few years.
92. He has been attending leadership workshops to improve his skills.
93. She has been knitting blankets for a charity organization.
94. They have been improving their language skills with online lessons.
95. We have been developing a new marketing strategy.
96. I have been practicing meditation to reduce stress.
97. He has been learning digital photography techniques.
98. She has been taking care of her pets for years.
99. They have been studying for their final exams all week.
100. We have been enjoying our new hobby of birdwatching.

Present Perfect Continuous – Definition, Structure, and Examples

The Present Perfect Continuous tense is used to describe actions that started in the past and are still ongoing or have recently finished. It emphasizes the duration or continuous nature of the action.

By using the structure Subject + have/has + been + verb (-ing form) and reviewing the examples provided, you can gain a better understanding of how to use this tense in your everyday English.