Ncm Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous in Songs

By Last updated: February 2, 2022

Sing Along and Learn 6 Continuous Tenses in English with These 11 Popular Pop Songs

You know that feeling when something just does not seem to end?

Or all those moments that you wish could continue for longer?

Maybe it is that book you have been reading for the past two years.

Or it is that vacation you have been trying to plan for months now.

In the English language, there is a whole tense devoted to describing these situations.

It is called the continuous tense in English, or the progressive tense.

This tense is used to describe actions or states that progress through time. As a rule of thumb, most verbs ending in -ing  are in one of the forms of the continuous tense.

There are six main continuous tenses in English, and that probably sounds like a lot to you right now. But, through the following easy explanations and catchy songs, you will get the hang of them in no time!

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

The 6 Main Continuous Tenses in English

• P resent continuous tense: We use the present continuous to talk about things that are currently happening or are in regards to future plans. It is formed by using the present tense of the verbbe and then adding-ing to the end of the main verb.

The dogs are sleeping.

I am going to Paris next month.

• Present perfect continuous tense: This tense is used to talk about incomplete actions that have started in the past and continue in the present. It is formed by using has beenor have been and then adding -ing to the end of the main verb. In the negative form, has and have can be written or spoken as the contractionshasn't or haven't.

I have been trying to study for my math test for the past three hours.

She has been practicing for the play for months.

I haven't been feeling well for over two weeks.

He hasn't been working very much lately.

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• Past continuous tense: This tense is used to talk about ongoing actions that happened in the past. It is formed by using was or were and then adding-ing to the end of the main verb. In the negative form, was and were can be written or spoken as the contractions wasn't or weren't.

I was cleaning my house last night.

We were driving through the mountains all night.

It wasn't raining when I left work.

They weren't planning on coming to the party.

• Past perfect continuous tense:This tense is used to talk about things that started in the past, continued in the past and ended in the past. It is formed using had been and then adding -ing to the end of the main verb.

The thief had been breaking the locks when he was caught.

He had been writing his first book when I met him.

• Future continuous tense:This tense is used to talk about something that is expected to happen in the future and will continue for some time. It is formed using will be and then adding-ing to the end of the main verb.

I will be completing my school project this Sunday.

She will be coming to the party tomorrow.

• Future perfect continuous tense: This continuous tense is used to talk about actions that will continue for some time in the future. It is formed by usingwill have been and then adding -ing to the end of the main verb.

I will have been working in this school for six years next month.

He will have been traveling for an entire year in March.

Sing Along and Learn the 6 Continuous Tenses in English with These 11 Popular Pop Songs

Ready to learn those English continuous tenses as they are actually used? Great! Below, we look at 11 pop songs that use the tenses in a way that will help you remember them in a fun and catchy way.

"Rolling in the Deep" by Adele

Full Lyrics: Genius

This is a very famous song by Adele. It is about a woman who has been betrayed by her lover. In this song, she is expressing her pain and anger and goes on to tell her ex-lover that they could have had a good relationship.

Continuous tenses in the lyrics

• "It's bringing me out the dark"

Bringing: To take someone or something to a place, or to cause something to happen.

• "Rolling in the deep"

Rolling: To move by turning over and over again.

Everyday examples

The fragrant (good smelling) flowers have been bringing butterflies to the garden. (present perfect continuous)

The ball is rolling down the hill. (present continuous)

"Wrecking Ball" by Miley Cyrus

Full Lyrics: Genius

A wrecking ball is a big, metal ball used to destroy buildings. In this song, it is used as a metaphor. The song is about a girl who is in pain after her relationship ended. The wrecking ball is a symbol for the lover who figuratively (not literally) destroyed her life.

Continuous tenses in the lyrics

• "Running for my life"

Running: To move very fast, or to manage or operate something.

• "You're not coming down"

Coming: To arrive somewhere, or something that is about to happen.

Everyday examples

I have been running the store by myself for the past year. (present perfect continuous)

He will be running in the marathon later this week. (future continuous)

I will be coming to your house later. (future continuous)

"We Will Rock You" by Queen

Full Lyrics: Genius

In its simplest explanation, this famous song is about staying motivated, encouraged and positive even when everything seems to be going against you.

Continuous tenses in the lyrics

• "Playing in the street"

Playing: To do something for enjoyment and entertainment.

• "Kicking your can (butt) all over the place"

Kicking: To hit something with force using your foot.

• "Shouting in the street"

Shouting: To increase the volume of your voice to say something or to get someone's attention.

• "Waving your banner all over the place"

Waving: To move your hand side to side to greet someone or get someone's attention.

• "Pleading with your eyes"

Pleading: To ask someone to do something or allow you to do something.

Everyday examples

Ross is playing with the ball. (present continuous)

They had beenplaying in the backyard all afternoon. (past perfect continuous)

The fans were shouting at the basketball game. (past continuous)

He was waving at me in the market but I could not see him because I did not have my glasses on. (past continuous)

The children have been pleading with their parents all weekend to take them to the waterpark. (present perfect continuous)

"Like a Rolling Stone" by Bob Dylan

Full Lyrics: Genius

A rolling stone is a metaphor in this song. It symbolizes the fall of pride and arrogance in the main character of the song who was once rich and part of high society.

Continuous tenses in the lyrics

• "Everybody that was hanging out"

Hanging: To be suspended (stuck) in the air. The phrase "hanging out" means to casually spend time with your friends or other people.

• "He's not selling any alibis (to give an excuse, especially to avoid being blamed for something)"

Selling: To give away something for money or at a price.

Everyday examples

Hewas hanging out with his best friend. (past continuous)

I have been selling my basketball cards online. (present perfect continuous)

"Shallow" by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper

Full Lyrics: Genius

This song is a duet, which means that it is sung by two singers. It is about dissatisfaction and yearning (wishing) for a life that is full of meaning and that is not shallow.

Continuous tenses in the lyrics

• "Is there something else you're searching for?"

Searching: To look for something.

• "I'm falling"

Falling: To descend quickly from a high to a low place without control.

Everyday examples

She will have been searching for her lost dog for 12 hours by dinnertime. (future perfect continuous)

He is falling for that girl in his class. (present continuous)

"Hotel California" by The Eagles

Full Lyrics: Genius

This song might be confusing as an English learner because the meaning of its lyrics is not very clear. Many people believe that this song is about the culture of greed, pleasure and excess in America and the music industry.

Continuous tenses in the lyrics

• "Last thing I remember, I was running for the door."

Running: To move quickly.

• "And still those voices are calling from far away."

Calling: To vocally try and get someone's attention or to say something to someone.

Everyday examples

She has been running everyday. (present perfect continuous)

He was calling for his cat that disappeared sometime last night. (past continuous)

"Summer of '69" by Bryan Adams

Full Lyrics: Genius

In this song, Bryan Adams talks about the first time he formed a band with his friends in the year 1969. In the song, he explains how even though the band did not last for a very time, he still remembers that time quite fondly (in a positive way).

Continuous tenses in the lyrics

• "Man we were killin' time"

Killin': Contraction of the word killing. It can mean to take the life of someone, or in casual English, it can be used in the phrase "killing time" to refer to wasting time or waiting for time to pass.

• "And now the times are changin'"

Changin': Contraction of the word changing. It means to transform or to become different.

• "Standin' on your mama's porch"

Standin': Contraction of the word standing. It is the opposite of sitting.

Everyday examples

The boys were killing time by playing games on their phones. (past continuous)

Winter is changing into spring very quickly. (present continuous)

They have been standing on the sidewalk waiting for the bus for hours. (present perfect continuous)

"Shape of You" by Ed Sheeren

Full Lyrics: Genius

This is a simple song about someone's attraction to a stranger they met in a bar and the romantic relationship that developed after a few dates.

Continuous tenses in the lyrics

• "Drinking fast and then we talk slow"

Drinking: To consume liquid. In social situations, it often refers to drinking alcohol specifically.

• "And now I'm singing like"

Singing: To perform songs vocally.

• "My heart is falling."

Falling: To go down fast, end up behind, or in this context, to break.

Everyday examples

He has been drinking a lot on the weekends lately. (present perfect continuous)

She is singing in the school's musical next month. (present continuous)

He is falling behind in the race. (present continuous)

"Love Yourself" by Justin Beiber

Full Lyrics: Genius

This song is another break-up song where the singer talks about how he does not have feelings for her ex-girlfriend anymore.

Continuous tenses in the lyrics

• "You think I'm crying"

Crying: To shed tears or state something loudly.

• "And baby I be movin' on"

Movin': Contraction of the word moving. It can mean to change place or position or to make someone very emotional. The phrase "moving on" means to recover from a bad experience. It is usually used in the context of relationships.

• "And if you think that I'm still holdin' on to somethin'"

Holdin': Contraction of the word holding. In this line, "holding on" means to hold onto your emotions. It is used in a context where it is assumed that one should not be feeling what she or he is still feeling.

Everyday examples

He was crying out loud when he saw that his house was burning. (past continuous)

Nancy will be moving to another city next summer. (future continuous)

She had been holding her friend's purse all night. (past perfect continuous)

"Bad Guy" by Billie Eilish

Full Lyrics: Genius

This song is about people trying to appear and act a certain way such as tough, strong, mean or masculine.

Continuous tenses in the lyrics

• "Creeping around like no one knows"

Creeping: To move so slowly that no one can see or hear you. It is also used when something negative happens very slowly.

• "I do what I want when I'm wanting to"

Wanting: To desire something.

• "But maybe it's 'cause I'm wearing your cologne"

Wearing: To wear clothes or accessories.

Everyday examples

The cat was creeping towards the mouse. (past continuous)

I have been wanting a piece of chocolate all day. (present perfect continuous)

She is wearing her favorite dress today. (present continuous)

"Jealous Guy" by John Lennon

Full Lyrics: Genius

This is a song about a boyfriend who is jealous of other people but does not want to feel this way.

Continuous tenses in the lyrics

• "I was dreaming of the past"

Dreaming: To think about doing something in the future or reflect upon the past.

• "And my heart was beating fast"

Beating: To throb or pound.

• "I was feeling insecure"

Feeling: To experience some emotion.

• "I was shivering inside"

Shivering: To shake uncontrollably because of cold, fear or pain.

• "I was swallowing my pain"

Swallowing: To push something down your throat. Here swallowing is used metaphorically and means that he was hiding his pain rather than expressing it.

Everyday examples

He has been dreaming about going to the Great Wall of China for years. (past perfect continuous)

Her heart was beating so fast when the boy she likes said hello to her. (past continuous)

I have been feeling very sad since I found out they will be moving away. (past perfect continuous/future continuous)

He was shivering from fear as his father asked for his report card. (past continuous)

She had been swallowing her anxiety for the entire performance. (past perfect continuous)

Aside from being some of the most famous songs on the planet, these songs will help you practice and tune your ear to the six continuous tenses that are most commonly used in English. And, an added benefit to this form of practice is that these songs are also just great to listen to!

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

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Source: https://www.fluentu.com/blog/english/continuous-tense-english/

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