Perfect Progressive

Language Objective: We will write complete sentences in the present, past & future perfect progressive verb tense in three forms: declarative, negative interrogative.

Application (Why?) We use the present perfect progressive to show actions that: started in the past, ended recently or continue in the present, have been ongoing.

Parts of Speech: Verbs has/have + been + verb(ing) singular subject- has plural subject- have (I/you)

Formulas & Examples Declarative + Present: Subject + has/have + been + verb(ing) + finisher. Example: The gubernatorial candidates have been debating their positions on the financial crisis for the last twenty minutes.

Negative - Present: Subject + has/have + not + been + verb(ing) + finisher. Example: As the attacks become more personal, the moderator has not been addressing the key issues.

Interrogative ? Present: Has/Have + subject + been + verbing + finisher? Example: Have the audience members been forming their decisions about which candidate they prefer during the debate?

Application (Why?) We use the past perfect progressive to show: two actions that happened in the past, the first action was ongoing, recently completed when the second action began.

Parts of Speech: Verbs had + been + verb(ing)

Formulas & Examples Declarative + Past: Subject + had + been + verb(ing) + finisher. Example: Relief agencies had been hurriedly delivering medical supplies when the first aftershock struck.

Negative - Past: Subject + had + not + been + verb(ing) + finisher. Example: Volunteers had not been searching for survivors for very long by the time the building collapsed.

Interrogative ? Past: Had + subject + been + verbing + finisher? Example: Had refugees been arriving in Port-au- Prince for many days before they found shelter?

Application (Why?) We use the future perfect progressive to show: two actions that will happen in the future, the first action will be ongoing and, will be recently completed when the second action begins.

Parts of Speech: Verbs will have + been + verb(ing)

Formulas & Examples Declarative + Future: Subject + will have + been + verb(ing) + finisher. Example: The sprinklers will have been running for three hours by the time they turn off.

Negative - Future: Subject + will + not + have + been + verb(ing) + finisher. Example: Jack and Sarah will not have been rehearsing their lines for very long when the drama class ends.

Interrogative ? Future: Will + subject + have + been + verbing + finisher? Example: Will the hikers have been walking for miles by the time they find the trail?

Perfect Progressive Time Markers PastPresentFuture Since For Before During Before When Recently When By the time Lately By the time finally As of late finally

Sentence Type PastPresentFuture DeclarativeYou had been waiting there for more than two hours when she finally arrived. You have been waiting here for two hours. You will have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane finally arrives. NegativeYou had not been waiting there for more than two hours when she finally arrived. You have not been waiting here for two hours. You will not have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane finally arrives InterrogativeHad you been waiting there for more than two hours when she finally arrived? Have you been waiting here for two hours? Will you have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane finally arrives?