In the present perfect continuous tense, questions are formed by using the interrogative form of the auxiliary verb “have” (have/has), followed by “been,” and then the present participle (base form + –ing) of the main verb.
Here’s how to construct present perfect continuous questions:
Structure:
Have/Has + \[ Subject + been + Present participle of the main verb (base form + –ing) + Complements or additional information
Examples:
Have I been looking good today?
Has she been studying for the exam?
Have we been practicing yoga for two years?
Has he been playing soccer?
Have the prices been increasing this month?
Table: Present perfect continuous – question
| Subject | Present perfect continuous question | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| I | Have I been + present participle | Have I been studying for the exam long enough? |
| You | Have you been + present participle | Have you been working on this project recently? |
| He/She/It | Has he/she/it been + present participle | Has he been practicing the piano all morning? |
| We | Have we been + present participle | Have we been waiting for the bus for a while? |
| You (plural) | Have you been + present participle | Have you been exercising regularly? |
| They | Have they been + present participle | Have they been renovating their house lately? |
Usage of present perfect continuous – question:
Asking about continuous actions:
Used to inquire about ongoing actions that started in the past and have a connection to the present.
Example:
Have you been learning French?
Inquiring about the duration of an action:
Used to ask about the length of time an action has been happening.
Example:
How long have they been renovating their house?
Asking about temporary states:
Used to inquire about temporary states or conditions that have been ongoing.
Example:
Has she been feeling better?
Inquiring about repetitive actions:
Used to ask about repetitive or habitual actions over a period.
Example:
Have we been meeting regularly?
Understanding how to form and use present perfect continuous questions allows you to inquire about ongoing actions or states with a connection to the present in English. Practice constructing questions in the present perfect continuous tense to enhance your language skills. Happy learning!
