Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Tenses

The word ‘tense’ is derived from Latin word ‘tempus’ and it means time. Basically tense conveys the time of action.

Tenses are mainly divided into three parts – Present, Past and Future. They are further subdivided into four categories – Indefinite, Continuous, Perfect and Perfect Continuous.

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE (also called Present Progressive Tense) is generally used for an action which began at some time in past and is still continuing at the time of being reported. It usually emphasizes duration, or the amount of time that an action has been taking place.

This tense is used to denote an unspecified time between 'before now' and 'now'. The speaker is thinking about something that started but perhaps did not finish in that period of time and may still be going on, or may have just finished.

Basic Structure of Sentence

Basic structure of a sentence in this tense is –

Subject + Has/Have + been (third form of be ) + continuous form of verb (V1+ing) + object

Subject          has/have       been               verb’s base+ing             object

I                       have               been               reading                      this book.

She                  has                  been               swimming. (affirmative)

He                   has                  been               running. (affirmative)

He                   hasn't             been               running. (negative)

Has                 she                  been               running? (interrogative)

Present Perfect Tense is used to describe/show/denote  –

1. Something that started in past and continues up to the present moment –

For example :

I've been working on this report since eight o'clock this morning ( I still haven't finished it).

They have been travelling since last October. (They're not home yet).

Sameer has been sleeping since 4 o’clock. (still sleeping)

He has been playing for three hours. (still playing)

2. An action just finished but the long continuation of action is emphasised –

For example :

It's been raining. (and there was no break)

She has been waiting for you all day. (emphasis is over the length of time)

I have been watering my plants. (as an explanation to some query)

Prepositions (for/since) used with certain time expressions:

Since – used to denote point of time when some work/action began.

For – used to denote for total duration of some work/action

e.g.  I have been living in Bombay since 2008. (point of time when I started living)

I have been living in Bombay for 11 years. (duration of stay in Bombay)

More adverbs/adverb phrases used as time expressions with since/for:

for                                          since

three hours                          morning

four days                              9.00  a.m.

3 months                              March

2 years                                  2018

centuries                               1100

ages                                        I was a child

ever                                        the very beginning

Verb form used in the Present Perfect Continuous Tense–

The present perfect continuous form of a verb is composed of three elements:

1. Appropriate form of auxiliary/helping verb (have) – have (plural) / has (singular)

2. Third form of be – been

3. Present participle form of main verb (Verb’s base form+ing) – playing, eating, working, reading, singing, writing, etc.

Note : Singular subject takes singular helping verb - Has

           Plural subject takes plural helping verb - Have

Plural verbs  (Have+been+V1+ing)	Singular verbs   (Has+been+V1+ing)
Have been sleeping	Has been sleeping
Have been working	Has been working
Have been studying	Has been studying
Have been trying	Have been trying
Have been writing	Has been writing
Have been playing	Has been playing
Have been drawing	Has been drawing
Have been teaching	Has been teaching
Have been travelling	Has been travelling
Have been talking	Has been talking

Video on Integrated Present Tense

More examples :

They have been talking for an hour.

What have you been doing for the last 30 minutes?

Mr. Joshi has been teaching in this school since April 2012.

We have been waiting here for over two hours.

Why have you not been answering my call for the last three days?

Recently, I have been feeling really tired.

Have you been exercising lately?

They’ve been staying in this house for twenty years.

My father hasn't been feeling well for weeks.

He has been living in Bombay since he got married.

Note : I and You, in spite of being singular, take plural form of helping verb (have). It is an exception to the rule.

Verbs not used in Continuous Tenses :

The verbs which convey sensory actions, perception, possession and state of mind are not used in Continuous Tenses hence, they shouldn’t be used in Present Perfect Continuous Tense.

For example – I have been feeling bad. (incorrect)

I feel bad / I have felt bad. (correct)

She has been knowing you. (incorrect)

She knows you. (correct)

More such verbs (not to be used in Present Perfect Continuous Tense)

 feel                           hear                           have(to possess)

 smell                         measure                    assume

 believe                      consider                    seem            

find                             suppose                    forget                      

 imagine                    know                                    mean            

recognise                  remember                understand

 fear                           hate                            hope 

 love                           mind                          prefer

wish                          cost                            hold               

Video on Integrated Tense Practice

Exercise for practice

1.     She _______________  in this company for three years. (work)

2.     What __________  you ___________? (do)

3.     He ________________ football for a long time. (play)

4.     Mr. Sinha _________ care of his children very well. (take)

5.      You _________  TV since 7p.m. (watch)

6.     My parents ____________ learning English for six months. (learn)

7.     Shikha _____________  us since March. (not visit)

8.     The students _________  Math these days. (not practise)

9.     I __________ tuitions for ten years. (give)

10.                         My children ________ very well in Physics. (not perform)   

Answers :

1.     Has been working               2. Have – been doing                    3. Has been playing

4. Has been taking                    5. Have been watching                 6. Have been learning

7. has not been visiting            8. Have not been practising        9. Have been giving

10. Have not been performing 

Video on Present tense

Diary Entry for all classes

Diary Entry

• Diary is one of the most personal and informal pieces of writing.
• It is a first person account /record of an experience, feelings and reactions related to any anecdote, incident or event.

Format of Diary Entry

Day

Date

Time

__________ leave a line

Dear diary (optional)

Content

(120-150 words)

__________ leave a line

Name given (first name) / ABC

Marking Scheme

Format – 1

Content – 3

Expression – 4 (Fluency – 2 and Accuracy 2)

Total – 8 marks

Points to remember :

1. It is personal in nature and informal in tone and style. (Sometimes, the tone may be literary, philosophical and reflective, too.)

2. The format, content, tone and style vary according to the subject matter, nature of incident and intensity of emotions. 

3. Exclamatory words and sign of exclamation ( ! ) should be used.

4. It is written in first person of pronoun. ( I )

5. Past Tense should be used. Present or future tenses are also used if current emotions are described or some resolution is made.

6. Active voice is used.

7. Begin the diary entry with a general statement about the day/expression.

8. The main body / content should cover the narration of the event or experience along with your feelings related to that account.

8. Emphasise more on your feelings, viewpoints and reaction rather than narrating the incident.

9. You should conclude with the learning after the episode or judgement on the incident happened.

Certain expressions to be used :

1. What a wonderful day it was!

2. How amazing the experience was!

3. It has been a terrible experience.

4. How can I forget those moments? / I can never forget such a day/moment/ experience.

5. It has been such an astonishing recovery/moment/experience!

6. How agonising it is to recall the incident!

7. I feel, I am on top of the world.

8. It was a historic moment.

Adjectives to make the diary more effective :

         

 Samples of diary entry

Q1. You are Namit/Namrita. Your name appeared in the list of CBSE XII 5 toppers of your city. Record the experience of the day making an entry in your diary in 120-150 words.

28 May 20XX

Monday

7: 30 p.m.

Dear diary

Today, I am on top of the world as it is a historic moment in my life. The CBSE results for class XII were to be announced, today. Curiosity and anxiety were pricking my stomach and I could not sleep last night. I had done very well in my examinations and, was waiting for the result eagerly.

Today, I got up early and checked the CBSE site many times. When I saw the result on the site, I could not believe my eyes. I got 99.6% over all. I jumped with ecstasy and hugged my parents. They were also so happy and excited that they informed all the relatives and friends. Later, my name also appeared in the merit list of the city.

It can never forget the experience and thank God for his blessings. Today, I make a promise that I will keep working hard to hit the higher targets in my life.

Namit/Namrita

Q2. You are Nishchay/Nikita. You attended The Crafts Mela at Suraj Kund, Faridabad. Using the hints given below make a diary entry about what you witnessed and experienced in 120-150 words.

More than 20 states participated – Rajasthan-the theme state – participation of foreign countries – cultural programmes – food courts catering all kinds of food – arts and handicrafts from the awarded artisans

12 October 20XX

Tuesday

7: 30 p.m.

Dear diary

Today, I witnessed mini India in the Crafts Mela at Suraj Kund, Faridabad. I felt wonder struck to see the cultural variety of our country, India. The theme state – Rajasthan has given brighter hues to the exhibition as the whole campus was painted with the visuals of Ranthambore, Chittor, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer, which took my breath away. The awarded artisans from different states set up their stalls. Some neighbouring countries such as Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Tibet gave it an International look. Sarees, bangles, purses, jewellery, garments, shoes and decoration items attracted the visitors of all ages.

The cultural shows like Chaupal and Kathputli pulled a large crowd. Food Court was special attraction for the food lovers who relished the delicacies of Rajasthan and other states.

Above all, the Crafts Mela presented an awe inspiring sight and my admiration for cultural heritage of India reached at another level.

Nishchay/Nikita 

Video on Diary Entry 
https://youtu.be/jy7uyg3qJus

Prepositions for all classes

Prepositions

Prepositions tell the position/relation of something in regard to something else (when put together).

Kinds of Preposition according to their arrangement

1. Simple Prepositions – on, at, in, for, to, with, by, of, out, off, from, till, up

2. Compound Prepositions – upon, into, within, without, onto, between, among, amongst, about, inside, outside, beside, behind, below, beneath, underneath, before, after, above, over, beyond, amidst

3. Phrase Prepositions – according to, in accordance with, by dint of, in lieu of, on account of, because of, by means of, due to, instead of, in case of, in spite of, in front of, by virtue of, in addition to, owing to, for the sake of, with regard to

Types of Prepositions on the basis of Functions

Preposition of Place

1.       In – The child is sleeping in the room. (bigger places/area in the context)

On – The duster is kept on the table. (less space, direct contact)

At – Mahatma Gandhi was born at Porbandar in Gujarat. (least or minimum space as compared to ‘in’)

2.       On – My books are kept on the table. (at rest)

Upon – The cat jumped upon the table. (in motion)

3.       In – My toys are kept in the cupboard. (at rest)

Into – He dived into the swimming pool. (in motion)

4.       To – He ran to school. (in motion)

          At – He stands at the top of building. (at rest)

5.       Between – She was sitting between Sona and Mona. (two people/things)

Among – The chocolates were distributed among the children on Christmas. (more than two/many)

6.       Over – The aeroplane is flying over my house. (less high, in motion, limited space, numbers)

Above – The blue sky spreads above. (higher than over, stationary, not specific space, on the top of)

7.       Over – Over 10 thousand people attended the rally. (numbers)

Above –  The students performed above our expectations. (in any reference of scale/level)

8.       Under – The traveller rests under the tree. (motion/less/specific, lesser space/ distance)

Below – The precious gems are hidden below the sea. (far lower, wider/unlimited space)

9.       Along – The tired traveller was walking along the road. (with/beside something)

Across – The child swam across the river in 40 minutes. (from one side to other)

10.     Beside – The thief was sitting beside me. (by the side of)

Besides – My father gave me a bicycle besides a watch. (additionally)           

Preposition of Time

1.       In – I was born in 1991. (larger/unlimited span of time, month, year, century, age)

On – Teacher’s Day is celebrated on 5 September. (Lesser span of time, day, date)

At – You reached there at 6:30 p.m. (very specific, time)

2.       Since – I have been living in Delhi since 2009. (in context of starting point of time)

For – I have been living in Delhi for 10 years. (total duration of work)

3.       Since – I haven’t eaten anything since yesterday. (point of time in perfect tense)

From – I will join work from tomorrow. (point of time in non-perfect tense)

4.       Till – Wait here for me till I come. (within the time)

Until – Do not go until my arrival. (at the end of time)

5.       By – My father will be back by nine. (by the end of time)

Within – She has to mop this place within an hour. (before the end of time)

6.       In – I will come back in an hour. (at the end of time)

          Within – You have to reach there within 10 minutes. (before the end of time)

Preposition of Agent/Instrument

1.  With – Julius Caesar was stabbed with the daggers. (use of instrument/weapon/tool)

     By – Julius Caesar was assassinated by the conspirators. (hand of agent/person)

2.  With – He is angry with you. (person)

    At – He is angry at your behaviour. (something)

Preposition of Manner

    With – The soldiers fought with courage. (attribute)

    By – He is recognised by his way of talking. (manner)

Preposition of Reason/Purpose

1. Of – Many children died of hunger in Somalia. (reason)

    For – They sacrificed their every thing for their nation. (purpose)

2. From – I am suffering from Malaria. (disease)

    With – He was shivering with fever. (reason)

3. To – My father gifted a pretty watch to me. (direct action)

    For – My father bought a watch for me (reason/purpose)

Preposition of Contrast/Concession

    In spite of – In spite of all his efforts he failed. (contrast)

    With – With all his faults I love him. (concession)

Prepositions of Direction

   To - I am going to school. (destination)

   Towards - Tiger is coming towards us. (going in same direction)

   Through - We are passing through the forest. (crossing the medium)
   From - My mother will be coming from the office. (departing point / source)

Fixed Prepositions with certain nouns and verbs

Agree to – something / idea / statement

Agree with – person
Agree at - some point / this

Die for – someone / something / some cause

Die of – disease, reason
Die in (harness) - working

Extent to – limit  

Speed at – specific speed

Speed with – general speed

Abide by - rules

Time by – watch

Born of – parents

Born in - place

Videos on Prepositions

https://youtu.be/_QCMp3Y8S9Q

https://youtu.be/oHffDTOkDhI