Present Perfect Continuous
The use of the present perfect continuous in Spanish is equivalent to the application in English.
Look at the following chart to have a better understanding of this topic:
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Use
We use the present perfect continuous to talk about actions or situations that started in the past and are still in progress.
It is used to indicate that the action or event took place in the past but still applies to the present.
The most important factor in this tense is the time or the duration of the action. It is very common to see this way in most questions: "Have you ...?" -
Structure
It’s time to understand and formulate sentences in its three main forms: affirmative, negative and interrogative.
We form the Present Perfect Progressive with the auxiliary verb:have/has +
been
+
Verb with the ending in -ing.
Note:
has → 3rd person singular (he, she, it)
have → all other forms (I, you, we, they) -
Affirmative
I have been running for a long time.
He has been running for a long time.
Look at these examples and pay attention to the duration of the action:
• They have been talking for the last hour.
• She has been working at that company for three years.
• Recently, I have been feeling really tired.
• She has been watching too much television lately. -
Negative
I have not been playing with a ball.
He has not been having a good time.
Look at these examples:
• They have not been talking for the last hour.
• She has not been working at that company for three years.
• I haven’t been feeling really tired.
• She hasn’t been watching too much television lately. -
Questions
Have they been playing with a ball?
Has he been playing with a ball?
Look at these examples:
• Have they been talking for the last hour?
• Has she been working at that company for three years?
• Have you been feeling really tired?
• Has she been watching too much television lately? -
More information
1. Actions beginning in the past and still continuing (focus is on the action) – mostly with since (point of time) or for (period of time)
• I have been waiting for you for the five hours. (It was too long).
• Recently completed actions (focus is on the action).
• She has been watching too many movies. (It took too much time).
2. Signal words: Duration is important, therefore these words may be common in the structure of the present perfect continuous.
• all day
• the whole day
• since
• for
• Questions with how long
3. Adverbs: Expressions of time that are usually used with the present perfect continuous (progressive).
• yet
• always
• never
• ever
• already
• just