Meaning:
The perfect continuous tense expresses actions or states that started in
the past, continued over a period of time, and have a connection to the
present.
It is formed using the appropriate form of the auxiliary verb “have”
(have, has, had) followed by “been” and the present participle (-ing
form) of the main verb.
Example: She has been studying for three hours.
Past perfect continuous tense:
It denotes an action that started in the past, continued in the past, and
also ended at a certain point in the past.
Structure:
Subject + had + been + present participle (verb+ing) + the rest of the
sentence.
Example:
I had been cookingmy mom’s favouritedish when she walked into the
kitchen.
Let’s give a try:
1. Derrick __________ (work) at the hospital for over two years before
he left for Spain.
2. I don’t think the place ____________ (function) well for a very long
time before it shut down.
3. Theena__________ (sing) for an hour before her mom arrived.
4. They ______________ (live) in New York for four years when they
had to leave due to personal reasons.
5. My cousins ______________ (suggest) that we called the police
when we found the burglars.
Answer:
1.Derrick had been working at the hospital for over two years before
he left for Spain.
2. I don’t think the placehad been functioning well for a very long
time before it shut down.
3. Theenahad been singing for an hour before her mom arrived.
4.They had been living in New York for four years when they had to
leave due to personal reasons.
5. My cousins had been suggesting that we called the police when we
found the burglars.
Present Perfect Continuous Tense:
An action that started in the recent past and is still continuing in the
present.
Structure:
Subject + have/has + been + present participle (verb+ing) + the rest of
the sentence.
Example:
I have been working on this project for a week.
Let’s give a try:
1. I ____________ (watch) this movie for two hours.
2. Sam ____________ (ask) for you.
3. Indrajith___________ (dance) all day.
4. Jojiand Shaji_____________ (plan) to go to Hyderabad next week.
5. _______ you ____________ (look) for this bag?
Answer:
1. I have been watching this movie for two hours.
2. Sam has been asking for you.
3. Indrajithhas been dancing all day.
4. Jojiand Shajihave been planning to go to Hyderabad next week.
5. Haveyou been looking for this bag?
Future Perfect Continuous Tense:
An action that will be continuing until a certain point of time in the
future. An action or event that will be progressing to a specific time in
the future.
Structure:
Subject + Helping verbs (will + have + been) + Present participle form
of the main verb + the rest of the sentence.
Example:
Next month, I will have been following a diet for three months.
Let’s give a try:
1.Vinita _______________ (walk) around for hours.
2.In November, Devika _________________ (teach) at this school for
three years.
3.We are late. I guess Aldrin and Sam ______________ (wait) for us.
4.Ashwin will be very tired when he gets home as he
______________ (exercise) for over an hour.
5.When you come at 8 p.m, __________ they ______________
(practise) long enough?
Answer:
1.Vinita will have been walking around for hours.
2.In November, Devika will have been teaching at this school for
three years.
3.We are late. I guess Aldrin and Sam will have been waiting for us.
4.Ashwin will be very tired when he gets home as he will have been
exercising for over an hour.
5.When you come at 8 p.m, willthey have been practicing long
enough?