Perfect continuous tenses describe actions that started in the past and continued for some time, often emphasizing duration. There are three perfect continuous tenses: past perfect continuous, present perfect continuous, and future perfect continuous.
Past Perfect Continuous
The past perfect continuous describes an action that began before a certain point in the past and continued up until that point, emphasizing how long the action lasted.
Form
```plaintext
subject + had been + verb(-ing)
```
Usage
- To show an action was ongoing before another past event.
- To emphasize the duration of the action.
- Often used with time expressions like for, since, and before.
Examples
| English | Example |
|---|---|
| Action ongoing before another past event | She had been studying for hours before the exam started. |
| Emphasizing duration | They had been waiting since noon when the bus finally arrived. |
| Usage with time expressions | He had been working there for five years before he moved. |
Present Perfect Continuous
The present perfect continuous describes an action that started in the past and is still continuing now or has just recently stopped, focusing on the duration or ongoing nature.
Form
```plaintext
subject + have/has been + verb(-ing)
```
Usage
- To describe an action that began in the past and continues into the present.
- To emphasize the duration of the action.
- Often used with for, since, and how long.
Examples
| English | Example |
|---|---|
| Action started in the past and continues | I have been reading this book all morning. |
| Emphasizing duration | She has been working here for three years. |
| Recent action with present relevance | We have been cleaning the house, so it’s tidy now. |
Future Perfect Continuous
The future perfect continuous describes an action that will have been ongoing for a certain period of time by a specific point in the future.
Form
```plaintext
subject + will have been + verb(-ing)
```
Usage
- To show how long an action will have lasted by a future time.
- To emphasize the duration of the future action.
- Often used with time expressions like for and by (a certain time).
Examples
| English | Example |
|---|---|
| Duration by a future time | By 8 PM, I will have been studying for six hours. |
| Emphasizing future duration | They will have been traveling for two days by the time they arrive. |
| Action ongoing up to a future point | She will have been working here for a year next month. |
By 8 PM, I will have been ___ for six hours. (What verb fits in the blank?)
studying
The future perfect continuous uses 'will have been' + verb(-ing). 'Studying' is the correct form to show duration.
Summary
Generally, perfect continuous tenses emphasize the duration of an action in relation to a specific time—whether in the past, present, or future. They highlight ongoing activity and are often used with time expressions like for, since, and by.
What do perfect continuous tenses generally emphasize?
the duration of an action in relation to a specific point in time
Perfect continuous tenses highlight how long an action lasted, often in relation to another time.
Flashcards (1 of 9)
- Example: She had been studying for hours before the exam started.
- English: Action ongoing before another past event
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
