Present Perfect Continuous Tense with 200 Examples

Present Perfect Continuous Tense: Definition and Structure

Definition:
The Present Perfect Continuous Tense is used to describe an action that started in the past and is still continuing in the present. It can also indicate actions that have just finished but are connected to the present moment, often emphasizing the duration of the activity.

A teacher showing a student a timeline diagram with examples like “has been studying” and “have been working” on a whiteboard, indicating actions that started in the past and are still continuing
The present perfect continuous tense is used to describe actions that began in the past and are still ongoing or have just recently stopped. It’s formed using “has/have been” + verb-ing. These 200 practical examples build fluency and real-world understanding.

Structure:

  • Affirmative: Subject + has/have + been + verb + ing
    • Example: He has been working here for three years.
  • Negative: Subject + has/have + not + been + verb + ing
    • Example: They have not been waiting for long.
  • Interrogative: Has/Have + subject + been + verb + ing?
    • Example: Have you been studying for the exam?

200 Examples of Present Perfect Continuous Tense

1. Ongoing Actions That Started in the Past:

  1. I have been learning Spanish for two years.
  2. She has been cooking for hours.
  3. They have been playing football since morning.
  4. He has been working on this project all week.
  5. We have been living in this house for ten years.
  6. I have been waiting for you for an hour.
  7. She has been studying all night.
  8. They have been building the bridge for months.
  9. He has been painting the house for a week.
  10. We have been running this company for 5 years.
  11. I have been exercising regularly for three months.
  12. She has been gardening every morning.
  13. They have been traveling across Europe.
  14. He has been teaching at this school for five years.
  15. We have been saving money for a vacation.
  16. I have been reading this book for two weeks.
  17. She has been writing her thesis since last year.
  18. They have been organizing the event for months.
  19. He has been playing the guitar for five years.
  20. We have been designing the website for a client.
  21. I have been learning to drive.
  22. She has been practicing yoga for a year.
  23. They have been rehearsing for the concert.
  24. He has been preparing for the exam all week.
  25. We have been waiting for the bus for 30 minutes.
  26. I have been cooking dinner for an hour.
  27. She has been swimming every day this summer.
  28. They have been fixing the car since this morning.
  29. He has been training for the marathon.
  30. We have been planning the trip for months.
  31. I have been watching the news since breakfast.
  32. She has been decorating the house for the party.
  33. They have been working on the report all day.
  34. He has been driving for five hours straight.
  35. We have been discussing this issue for days.
  36. I have been listening to music for hours.
  37. She has been playing chess with her brother.
  38. They have been fighting the fire since yesterday.
  39. He has been writing his autobiography.
  40. We have been learning to play the piano.
  41. I have been dancing since the party started.
  42. She has been baking cakes for a charity event.
  43. They have been preparing dinner for the guests.
  44. He has been building his own furniture.
  45. We have been traveling to different cities.
  46. I have been volunteering at the animal shelter.
  47. She has been designing clothes for a fashion show.
  48. They have been renovating their house.
  49. He has been studying for his degree.
  50. We have been waiting for the doctor for over an hour.

2. Emphasizing Duration:

  1. She has been learning French for two years.
  2. I have been running this business for a decade.
  3. They have been living in London for six months.
  4. He has been working out for three hours.
  5. We have been cleaning the house all day.
  6. I have been writing letters to my pen pal for five years.
  7. She has been talking on the phone for an hour.
  8. They have been building their new house for two years.
  9. He has been fixing the computer all morning.
  10. We have been planning our vacation for weeks.
  11. I have been reading that book for two weeks now.
  12. She has been cooking dinner for two hours.
  13. They have been saving for a new car for years.
  14. He has been watching TV for three hours.
  15. We have been looking for a solution all day.
  16. I have been driving for six hours straight.
  17. She has been playing the piano for eight years.
  18. They have been dancing since the party started.
  19. He has been cleaning his garage for two hours.
  20. We have been organizing the event for a month.
  21. I have been waiting for the rain to stop all afternoon.
  22. She has been painting that portrait for a week.
  23. They have been working on this project for six months.
  24. He has been sleeping for ten hours.
  25. We have been searching for a job for months.
  26. I have been playing the game for hours.
  27. She has been listening to that song all day.
  28. They have been running the marathon for three hours.
  29. He has been repairing the roof for days.
  30. We have been shopping for Christmas gifts all weekend.
  31. I have been researching for my thesis for weeks.
  32. She has been watering the plants since morning.
  33. They have been writing their novel for a year.
  34. He has been building a model airplane for two months.
  35. We have been driving around the city for hours.
  36. I have been practicing my speech all day.
  37. She has been practicing her dance routine for weeks.
  38. They have been baking cakes for the bake sale.
  39. He has been recording his music for months.
  40. We have been remodeling the house for a year.
  41. I have been painting the fence since yesterday.
  42. She has been knitting a sweater for three days.
  43. They have been hiking for the last three hours.
  44. He has been mowing the lawn for an hour.
  45. We have been working on this problem all night.
  46. I have been playing soccer for ten years.
  47. She has been taking piano lessons for five years.
  48. They have been exercising at the gym for two hours.
  49. He has been studying for his exams all week.
  50. We have been decorating the house for Christmas.

3. Completed Actions With Present Relevance:

  1. I have been thinking about what you said.
  2. She has been preparing for the meeting all day.
  3. They have been working hard on the presentation.
  4. He has been practicing for the concert.
  5. We have been trying to fix the car for hours.
  6. I have been trying to contact you all week.
  7. She has been revising her essay.
  8. They have been organizing the charity event.
  9. He has been learning how to cook.
  10. We have been discussing the budget for hours.
  11. I have been feeling better lately.
  12. She has been feeling stressed about work.
  13. They have been handling customer complaints.
  14. He has been studying hard for the final exam.
  15. We have been developing a new app.
  16. I have been looking for my keys all morning.
  17. She has been checking the emails.
  18. They have been planning their wedding for months.
  19. He has been researching for his book.
  20. We have been waiting for an update.

4. Describing Annoying or Repeated Actions:

  1. He has been complaining about the weather all day.
  2. She has been leaving her clothes everywhere.
  3. They have been arriving late to meetings.
  4. I have been hearing the same story all week.
  5. We have been waiting for you every day.
  6. He has been asking for help repeatedly.
  7. She has been making the same mistake.
  8. They have been skipping practice sessions.
  9. I have been noticing a pattern here.
  10. We have been telling him to be on time.

5. Describing Positive Actions:

  1. She has been helping her friend with homework.
  2. He has been donating to charity regularly.
  3. They have been participating in community service.
  4. I have been reading motivational books.
  5. We have been volunteering at the shelter.
  6. She has been mentoring young students.
  7. He has been practicing meditation daily.
  8. They have been organizing fundraisers.
  9. I have been spreading positivity.
  10. We have been promoting mental health awareness.

6. Negative Sentences in Present Perfect Continuous

Structure:

  • Subject + has/have + not + been + verb + ing
    • Example: He has not been working on his assignment lately.

30 Negative Examples:

  1. I have not been feeling well recently.
  2. She has not been coming to class regularly.
  3. They have not been working on the project.
  4. He has not been eating healthy food.
  5. We have not been seeing each other much.
  6. I have not been sleeping well.
  7. She has not been preparing for the presentation.
  8. They have not been practicing enough.
  9. He has not been finishing his homework on time.
  10. We have not been attending meetings regularly.
  11. I have not been exercising lately.
  12. She has not been studying for her exam.
  13. They have not been talking to each other.
  14. He has not been working on his novel.
  15. We have not been planning the event properly.
  16. I have not been hearing from him.
  17. She has not been cooking much.
  18. They have not been cleaning the house.
  19. He has not been visiting his parents.
  20. We have not been making progress.
  21. I have not been focusing on my studies.
  22. She has not been answering my calls.
  23. They have not been attending the meetings.
  24. He has not been looking for a job.
  25. We have not been saving money.
  26. I have not been traveling much lately.
  27. She has not been working on the report.
  28. They have not been contributing to the project.
  29. He has not been practicing the guitar.
  30. We have not been preparing for the event.

7. Interrogative Sentences in Present Perfect Continuous

Structure:

  • Has/Have + subject + been + verb + ing?
    • Example: Have you been working on your homework?

30 Interrogative Examples:

  1. Have you been waiting for long?
  2. Has she been studying hard for the exam?
  3. Have they been working on the project?
  4. Has he been exercising regularly?
  5. Have we been making progress?
  6. Have I been doing well at my job?
  7. Has she been cooking dinner every day?
  8. Have they been practicing for the concert?
  9. Has he been working overtime?
  10. Have we been planning the trip well?
  11. Have you been traveling a lot recently?
  12. Has she been feeling better lately?
  13. Have they been playing football together?
  14. Has he been reading that book?
  15. Have we been spending too much money?
  16. Have you been studying for the test?
  17. Has she been learning any new skills?
  18. Have they been preparing for the exam?
  19. Has he been writing his thesis?
  20. Have we been working hard enough?
  21. Have you been cleaning the house?
  22. Has she been helping her parents?
  23. Have they been following the news?
  24. Has he been improving his English?
  25. Have we been working on the presentation?
  26. Have you been visiting your relatives?
  27. Has she been working from home?
  28. Have they been organizing the event?
  29. Has he been taking care of his health?
  30. Have we been practicing enough for the game?