Present perfect continuous
B1 32 / 50
In short
Use the present perfect continuous (have/has been + verb-ing) to talk about an activity that started in the past and is still going on, or one that has just stopped but whose results you can see now. It puts the focus on the activity and how long it has lasted.
The rule
We form this tense with have/has + been + the -ing form of the verb.
There are two main uses:
| Use | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Still happening | An activity that began in the past and continues now. Often with for / since. | I’ve been waiting for an hour. / She’s been working here since May. |
| 2. Recently finished, visible result | An activity that has just stopped, but you can see or feel its effect now. | I’m tired because I’ve been running. / Your eyes are red - have you been crying? |
With for we give a length of time (for two hours, for ages). With since we give a starting point (since 9 o’clock, since Monday).
That starting point can also be a whole clause naming the event the activity started from. The clause verb goes in the past simple, even though the main verb stays in the present perfect continuous; ever since is the emphatic version of since.
She’s been working here since the shop opened. (NOT since the shop has opened)
Be careful with stative verbs (verbs about states, not actions: know, like, love, want, need, believe, have = own, understand). They are not normally used in the continuous. Use the present perfect simple instead.
I’ve known her for years. (NOT I’ve been knowing her…)
Forms & patterns
| Type | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Positive | subject + have/has been + verb-ing | They’ve been talking all morning. |
| Negative | subject + haven’t/hasn’t been + verb-ing | He hasn’t been sleeping well. |
| Question | Have/Has + subject + been + verb-ing? | Have you been waiting long? |
| Short answer | Yes, I have. / No, she hasn’t. | Have they been studying? - Yes, they have. |
| With How long | How long have/has + subject + been + verb-ing? | How long have you been learning English? |
Contractions: I’ve / you’ve / we’ve / they’ve been…, he’s / she’s / it’s been… (here ‘s = has).
-ing spelling reminders: make -> making, sit -> sitting, lie -> lying, study -> studying.
Examples
| English | Note |
|---|---|
| How long have you been learning English? | Focus on the duration of an activity still going on. |
| We’ve been living in Madrid since 2019. | Started in the past, still true now; since + starting point. |
| Sorry I’m late - have you been waiting long? | Activity continuing up to the moment of speaking. |
| The ground is wet because it’s been raining. | Recently stopped; the wet ground is the visible result. |
| You look exhausted! Have you been working all night? | Asking about an activity that explains a present state. |
| My sister has been studying Japanese for three years. | For + a length of time. |
| Ever since the rules changed, we’ve been queuing outside. | The starting point is an event, in the past simple; ever since adds emphasis. |
| I’ve been trying to call you all day. | Repeated activity over a period leading up to now. |
Common mistakes
- I’ve been knowing him for years. -> I’ve known him for years. - Stative verbs (know, like, have = own) take the simple, not the continuous.
- I am waiting for an hour. -> I’ve been waiting for an hour. - Use the present perfect, not the present, for time leading up to now.
- She’s been work here since May. -> She’s been working here since May. - Don’t forget been + the -ing form.
- I’ve been living here for 2015. -> I’ve been living here since 2015. - Use since with a start point, for with a length of time.
- How long are you learning English? -> How long have you been learning English? - Use this tense to ask “how long” up to now.
Tips
- Ask yourself: activity or result? If you want to stress the activity and its duration, use the continuous (I’ve been reading). If you stress completion or quantity, use the simple (I’ve read three books / I’ve read it twice).
- “Visible evidence now” is a strong signal for the continuous: wet ground, red eyes, being out of breath, paint on your hands.
- For = how long; since = when it started, as a time (since Monday) or a past-simple clause (since we moved in). Both work with this tense.
- If the verb describes a state, not an action (know, believe, own), switch to the present perfect simple.