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Perfect Progressive Aspect
What Is the Perfect Progressive Aspect? (with Examples)
The perfect progressive aspect (or "perfect continuing aspect" as it's sometimes called) is the aspect of a verb that expresses the end of an ongoing action.In other words, "perfect progressive aspect" is the collective term for verbs (in the past tense, present tense, or future tense) in a perfect progressive tense.
Table of Contents
- The Three "Perfect Progressive (or Perfect Continuing) Aspect" Verb Tenses
- Examples of Verbs in the Perfect Progressive Aspect
- Forming the Perfect Progressive Aspect
- Verb Tenses Showing the Perfect Progressive Aspect
- Verb Tense Widget
- Why the Perfect Progressive Aspect Is Important
- Printable Test

The Three "Perfect Progressive (or Perfect Continuing) Aspect" Verb Tenses
This lesson is about the three tenses (past, present, and future) in the perfect progressive (or perfect continuing) aspect. There are four aspects in total, each of which has three tenses. So, overall, there are 12 tenses.The tables below show all 12 tenses categorized by aspect. The tenses in the perfect progressive (or perfect continuing) aspect are highlighted.
The "Simple Aspect" Tenses | Examples |
---|---|
The simple aspect is used to describe facts and habits. | |
Simple Present Tense | |
Simple Past Tense | |
Simple Future Tense |
The "Progressive (or Continuing) Aspect" Tenses | Examples |
---|---|
The progressive aspect expresses ongoing actions. | |
Present Progressive Tense | |
Past Progressive Tense | |
Future Progressive Tense |
The "Perfect (or Complete) Aspect" Tenses | Examples |
---|---|
The perfect aspect expresses completed actions. | |
Present Perfect Tense | |
Past Perfect Tense | |
Future Perfect Tense |
The "Perfect Progressive Aspect" Tenses | Examples |
---|---|
The perfect progressive aspect expresses the end of an ongoing action. | |
Present Perfect Progressive Tense | |
Past Perfect Progressive Tense | |
Future Perfect Progressive Tense |
Examples of Verbs in the Perfect Progressive Aspect
Verbs in the perfect progressive aspect are recognizable by the word "have" (in one of its forms), "been," and a present participle (i.e., the word that ends "-ing"). Here are some examples of verbs in the perfect progressive aspect.In the Past Tense
- She had been dancing. (past perfect progressive tense)
- We had been fishing. (past perfect progressive tense)
In the Present Tense
- I have been playing. (present perfect progressive tense)
- She has been swimming. (present perfect progressive tense)
In the Future Tense
- They will have been flying. (future perfect progressive tense)
- She will have been acting. (future perfect progressive tense)
Forming the Perfect Progressive Aspect
The perfect progressive aspect is formed using a form of the auxiliary verb "to have," "been," and the present participle. For example:Forming the Past Perfect Progressive Tense
"had"
+ "been"
+ [present participle]
- We had been writing.
Forming the Present Perfect Progressive Tense
"has" or "have"
+ "been"
+ [present participle]
- She has been diving.
- They have been eating.
Forming the Future Perfect Progressive Tense
"will have"
+ "been"
+ [present participle]
- He will have been driving.
Verb Tenses Showing the Perfect Progressive Aspect
Here are the 12 tenses again. This time, the tenses are ordered under the headings past tense, present tense, and future tense. As before, the tenses in the perfect progressive aspect are shaded in yellow.The 4 Past Tenses | Example |
---|---|
simple past tense | I went |
past progressive tense | I was going |
past perfect tense | I had gone |
past perfect progressive tense | I had been going |
The 4 Present Tenses | Example |
simple present tense | I go |
present progressive tense | I am going |
present perfect tense | I have gone |
present perfect progressive tense | I have been going |
The 4 Future Tenses | Example |
simple future tense | I will go |
future progressive tense | I will be going |
future perfect tense | I will have gone |
future perfect progressive tense | I will have been going |
Verb Tense Widget
Use this widget to learn about the different tenses. How do you use this widget? Well, if there's a button, a drop-down menu, or a
to base form
( verb)
Select the tenses.
Present Tenses
Past Tenses
Future Tenses
Here's a good tip to help you with mastering the tenses: Concentrate on the following:
- The verb "to be" in all its forms (am, is, are, was, were, will be)
- The verb "to have" in all its forms (has, have, had, will have)
- Present participles, i.e., the "ing" form of verbs (e.g., dancing, knowing, eating)
- Past participles (e.g., danced, known, eaten)
- Learning or teaching English? Get your head in those verb tables. Good luck!
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