How to form the Present Perfect Continuous: table
Three parts: have / has + been + verb-ing. Been never changes. In questions only have / has moves to the front.
| Form | I / you / we / they | he / she / it |
|---|---|---|
| Positive | I’ve been working. | She’s been working. |
| Negative | I haven’t been working. | She hasn’t been working. |
| Question | Have you been working? | Has she been working? |
| How long | How long have you been working here? | How long has she been working here? |
When to use the Present Perfect Continuous
Started in the past and still going on
With for, since, How long…?
I’ve been waiting for you for an hour!
She’s been learning French since September.
Just stopped, with visible results
Wet streets, tired faces, red eyes — we explain what has been going on.
The streets are wet. It’s been raining.
Why are you so tired? — I’ve been running.
Repeated actions recently
I’ve been sleeping badly lately.
He’s been calling me all week.
Present Perfect Continuous signal words
- for
- since
- How long…?
- all day
- all morning
- all week
- lately
- recently
- for ages
Present Perfect Continuous or Present Perfect?
The Continuous is about the activity and how long it has lasted. The Present Perfect is about the result and how much has been done. With a number (how many times, how many pages) use the Present Perfect.
| Present Perfect Continuous | Present Perfect | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | the activity, how long | the result, how much / how many |
| Example | I’ve been reading this book all day. | I’ve read 100 pages. |
| Question | How long have you been painting? | How many rooms have you painted? |
| State verbs | not used | I’ve known him for years. |
With live and work there is little difference: I’ve lived here for 5 years = I’ve been living here for 5 years.
Common mistakes
What learners of English often say. On the left — the mistake, on the right — the correct version.
Wrong:
I am waiting for an hour.Right: I have been waiting for an hour.
Still going on + how long: Present Perfect Continuous.
Wrong:
She has been knowing him for years.Right: She has known him for years.
Know is a state verb: no Continuous.
Wrong:
I have been written three emails.Right: I have written three emails.
A number of things done: Present Perfect.
Wrong:
How long are you learning English?Right: How long have you been learning English?
How long…? about an ongoing activity: Present Perfect Continuous.
Check yourself
Quiz: Present tenses
24 questions with an explanation after every answer. Free, no sign-up.
I work · I’m working · I’ve worked · I’ve been working