The Present Perfect Continuous stresses the duration of an activity that started in the past and is still going on, or has only just finished with visible results. It answers “How long?”.
Form
| Structure | Example |
|---|---|
| subject + have/has + been + verb-ing | I have been working. |
| subject + haven't/hasn't + been + verb-ing | She hasn't been sleeping. |
| Have/Has + subject + been + verb-ing? | How long have you been waiting? |
When to use it
- Activity continuing up to now: I have been studying since eight.
- Recent activity with a visible result: Your hands are dirty. Have you been gardening?
- Temporary or repeated activity: He has been calling me all week.
- With for / since / how long / lately.
Examples
- I have been learning English for two years.
- It has been raining all day.
- How long have you been waiting?
- She has been working too hard lately.
- They haven't been playing well.
- You look tired. Have you been running?
Common mistakes
- With a number or result: I have been writing three emails → I have written three emails.
- With state verbs: I have been knowing → I have known.
- Forgetting “been”: I have working → I have been working.