Present Perfect Continuous
The present perfect continuous tense is used to describe actions that started in the past and are still continuing or have recently stopped, focusing on the duration or process of the action.
⏰ When do we use Present Perfect Continuous
We use the Present Perfect Continuous to:
-
Describe actions continuing from the past into the present:
- I have been studying English for two years.
- They have been living in Bogotá since 2018.
-
Talk about recently finished actions with present results:
- She is tired because she has been working all day.
- He looks happy because he has been dancing.
-
Emphasize duration of an activity:
- They have been waiting for an hour.
- We have been talking for a while.
-
Explain present results through past actions:
- He’s out of breath because he has been running.
- Why are your hands dirty? I’ve been gardening.
📌 Structure
- Affirmative:
Subject + have/has + been + verb-ing - Negative:
Subject + have/has + not + been + verb-ing - Question:
Have/Has + subject + been + verb-ing?
📝 Note
Use the present perfect continuous to highlight how long an action has been happening and whether it’s still happening or recently finished. Use “for”, “since”, and “lately” to give more context.
- I have been working for two hours.
- She has been studying since 9 AM.
- I have been feeling tired lately.
Examples: I have been studying since 8 AM, He has been working all week.
💬 Examples
✅ Positive Examples
- I have been learning to play the piano for a few months.
- They have been living in this city for ten years.
- She has been reading that book all day.
❌ Negative Examples
- He hasn’t been studying for the exam.
- They haven’t been working on the report.
- She hasn’t been feeling well lately.
❓ Question Examples
- How long have you been waiting?
- Have they been working on the project?
- Has she been feeling okay lately?
🎯 Practice Exercises
⬇️ Interactive exercise will appear here soon.
Ready to Talk About Actions That Started in the Past and Are Still Ongoing?
Using the Present Perfect Continuous (has/have been + -ing) correctly is a fantastic step to describing actions that began at some point in the past and are still continuing up to the present moment. It’s perfect for explaining duration!
Do you want to practice forming these sentences and using them to discuss experiences and situations that are still relevant now? My online English classes offer fun, interactive ways to master the Present Perfect Continuous and all other essential grammar points. You’ll get plenty of chances to speak and build your confidence.
Let’s plan your English success together!
Click here to find out more and book your trial class today!