How do you choose between the Present Perfect Continuous and Past Perfect Continuous?
The Present Perfect Continuous is used to talk about an action that started before now (or in the past) and has continued up until now (or into the present).
The Past Perfect Continuous corresponds to the Present Perfect Continuous , but with reference to a time earlier than ‘before now’. As with the Present Perfect Continuous, we are more interested in the process.
Both of these tenses are continuous and, thus, denote a continuing action. The difference is in the time. Here’s a depiction of this difference:
So, how do you choose between the Present Perfect Continuous and Past Perfect Continuous?
The Present Perfect Continuous is used to talk about an action in progress that was taking place until the present moment. The action may not be finish at that time. This action may still be continuing or may have just finished.
The structure is:
have / has + been + -ing verb
In such sentences, Present Perfect Continuous Tense emphasizes the process or the duration of the event or state. The tense connect the past with the present.
The Past Perfect Continuous is used to talk about an ongoing action that was taking place until another specified moment in the past.
The structure is:
had + been + -ing verb
In such sentences, Past Perfect Continuous tells us ‘how long the action had continued’ or emphasizes ‘the duration of the action’. Namely, Past Perfect Continuous tells us that an event happened and continued for a certain period of time in the past, not in the present.
Consider the following examples:
Present Perfect Continuous | Past Perfect Continuous |
have / has + been + -ing verb | had + been + -ing verb |
I’m really thirsty. I have been cycling for three hours. | I was really thirsty. I had been cycling for three hours. |
They have been playing all day long and now they are tired. | They had been playing all day long before they got tired and went home. |
Mary haven’t been doing well at school last month and the results of her tests are poor. | Mary hadn’t been doing well at school last month, so she failed her final tests. |
Check out this video from English Resource Lab to understand the meaning of Past Perfect Continuous:
See more details here:
Present Perfect Continuous: Statements
Present Perfect Continuous: Negative & Questions
Present Perfect or Present Perfect Continuous?
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