What is the Present Perfect Continuous Tense?
English: The Present Perfect Continuous tense is used to show that something started in the past and is still happening now, or has recently stopped.
Swahili: Present Perfect Continuous ni wakati unaoonyesha kuwa jambo fulani lilianza zamani na linaendelea hadi sasa, au limekomeshwa hivi karibuni.
Structure / Muundo
English Sentence Structure:
Subject + has/have + been + verb (with -ing)
Swahili Explanation:
Mtu (Subject) + amekuwa/wamekuwa + kitenzi kilicho na “-ing”
Examples / Mifano
1. I have been studying for two hours.
Swahili: Nimekuwa nikisoma kwa saa mbili.
(Started two hours ago and still studying or just finished.)
2. She has been working at the company since January.
Swahili: Amekuwa akifanya kazi katika kampuni hiyo tangu Januari.
3. They have been playing football.
Swahili: Wamekuwa wakicheza mpira.
When Do We Use It? / Tunatumia Lini?
1. Actions that started in the past and are still continuing
English: “He has been living in Nairobi for five years.”
Swahili: “Amekuwa akiishi Nairobi kwa miaka mitano.”
2. Actions that just stopped, but have effects now
English: “I’m tired because I have been running.”
Swahili: “Nimechoka kwa sababu nimekuwa nikikimbia.”
Common Mistakes / Makosa ya Kuepuka
I have being working. I have been working.
(Use “been”, not “being” after “have/has”)- He has been works there. He has been working there.
(Use verb with -ing)
Tips to Remember / Vidokezo vya Kukumbuka
- Always use has with he, she, it
- e.g., She has been learning.
- Use have with I, you, we, they
- e.g., They have been cooking.
- Use the verb in the -ing form
- study → studying, eat → eating
Created for students
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