English Blogs

"Let's Learn, Explore, and Connect to the World"

Present Perfect Continuous 4

A classroom setting where a teacher is explaining grammar rules to a group of students

IV. Forming Questions and Negatives in the Present Perfect Continuous

Mastering the Present Perfect Continuous tense involves not only forming affirmative statements but also understanding how to construct questions and negatives, which are essential for nuanced and flexible communication.

Constructing Questions

To form questions in the Present Perfect Continuous, the auxiliary verbs ‘has’ or ‘have’ are placed before the subject, followed by ‘been’ and the present participle (-ing form) of the main verb.

Examples:

A person sitting on a couch, speaking with a concerned friend.

Have you been feeling better recently?

In a modern office, a manager is asking a team member

Has she been working on that project for long?

These questions are useful for inquiring about the duration and ongoing nature of actions or states.

Yes/No and Wh-Questions

The structure for yes/no questions is straightforward, and for more detailed inquiries, ‘wh-‘ question words are used at the beginning.

Examples:

A student in a study room, surrounded by textbooks and notes

Why have you been studying so hard?

Two friends are walking in a park

How long has he been living in this city?

Forming Negative Sentences

Negative sentences in the Present Perfect Continuous are created by adding ‘not’ after ‘has’ or ‘have’. The contracted forms (‘hasn’t’, ‘haven’t’) are frequently used in spoken and informal English.

Examples:

A person lying in bed, looking tired and frustrated

I haven’t been sleeping well lately.

A teacher is speaking with a student in an empty classroom

They haven’t been attending the classes regularly.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Correct Use of Auxiliary Verbs: Ensure the correct use of ‘has’ or ‘have’ based on the subject.

Verb Form: Remember to use the present participle (-ing form) of the main verb after ‘been’.

Misplacing ‘Not’: Place ‘not’ correctly between the auxiliary verb and ‘been’.

Conclusion

A group of friends at a café engaged in a lively conversationEffectively forming questions and negatives in the Present Perfect Continuous is crucial for asking about ongoing actions, their durations, or negating continuous states or actions. This skill enhances your ability to engage in more dynamic conversations, particularly when discussing actions that have been ongoing and are still relevant in the present.

Latest Blogs

A young woman adult sitting at a desk with a notebook, surrounded by English grammar bookS

Present Simple Tense 1

English Blogs “Let’s Learn, Explore, and Connect to the World” Present Simple Tense 1 I. Introduction to the Present Simple Tense in English Mastering the

Read More »
An Asian man in business casual attire speaking during a video call at home, smiling and pointing at his screen.

Present Simple Tense 2

English Blogs “Let’s Learn, Explore, and Connect to the World” Present Simple Tense 2 II. Understanding the Present Simple Tense Definition and Structure At its

Read More »

Reading comprehension quiz

Present Perfect Continuous 4

1 / 1

Which of the following is the correct way to form a question in the Present Perfect Continuous tense?

Your score is

The average score is 0%

Check out our books and more!

Comic Collections : A Compilation of Daily Professional and Casual Conversations (Book 3)

Discover the joy of conversation with “Comic Collections: A Compilation of Daily Professional and Casual Conversations,” a whimsically illustrated comic book that transforms talking into an adventure. Ideal for those eager to polish their chatting skills, this light-hearted guide is a trove of insights presented in a uniquely entertaining format.

Check out our Blogs!

Read our everyday blogs and gain new knowledge, skills, and inspiration to support your learning journey here in SEKAEL.

A teacher pointing at a whiteboard with commonly confused English words like “their/there/they’re” or “your/you’re.”

Learn through Common English Errors Blogs by recognizing and correcting everyday grammar and usage mistakes.

A modern digital workspace with a laptop showing charts, SEO tools, and social media dashboards.

Digital Marketing Blogs

Explore Digital Marketing Blogs to discover tips and trends in social media, SEO, branding, and content creation.

Copyright © SEKAEL, 2025 All Rights Reserved