Present Perfect Continuous

Express actions that started in the past and are still continuing or just finished

What is Present Perfect Continuous?

The present perfect continuous emphasizes the duration and ongoing nature of an action that started in the past and continues to the present (or just finished). It answers "How long?" and often explains why you're tired, dirty, or in a certain state now.

Compare: "I have studied English" (present perfect - focuses on the result/experience) vs. "I have been studying English for 3 hours" (present perfect continuous - emphasizes the duration and ongoing nature).

When to Use

1. Actions Continuing from Past to Present (Duration with For/Since)

I have been studying for three hours. (still studying)
She has been working here since 2020.
They have been living in London for 5 years.
We have been waiting for 30 minutes.
He has been learning Spanish since January.
It has been raining all day.

2. Recently Finished Activities with Present Results

I'm tired because I have been running. (explains current state)
She's dirty because she has been gardening.
Your eyes are red. Have you been crying?
He's sweaty because he has been exercising.
I smell smoke. Have you been cooking?

3. Repeated Actions Over a Period

I have been calling you all day! (repeatedly)
She has been asking about you lately.
They have been having problems recently.
We have been going to that restaurant a lot.

Formation

Positive: Subject + have/has + been + verb-ing

I have been working all morning.
You have been studying hard.
He has been sleeping for hours.
She has been practicing piano.
We have been traveling a lot.
They have been arguing lately.

Negative: Subject + have/has + not + been + verb-ing

I haven't been feeling well.
She hasn't been sleeping well.
We haven't been exercising enough.
They haven't been paying attention.

Question: Have/Has + subject + been + verb-ing?

Have you been waiting long?
Has she been working here long?
What have you been doing?
How long have you been studying English?

Common Mistakes

❌ I have been study for hours. → ✅ I have been studying for hours.
❌ She has been work since morning. → ✅ She has been working since morning.
❌ Have you been know him long? → ✅ Have you known him long? (stative verbs)
❌ They have being waiting. → ✅ They have been waiting.
❌ I have been loving this song. → ✅ I have loved this song. (stative)

Practice Tips

⏱️ Duration focus: Use present perfect continuous to emphasize "How long?" Use present perfect to emphasize "What result?" or "How many times?"
🔑 For/Since: "For" + period (for 3 hours). "Since" + starting point (since Monday). These are key markers for this tense.
⚠️ Stative verbs: Don't use continuous with know, understand, like, love, want, need, believe. Use present perfect instead.
✍️ Explain your state: Practice explaining current situations: "I'm tired because I have been...", "My hands are dirty because I have been..."