Present Perfect Continuous
Use the present perfect continuous to emphasize the duration of an action that started in the past and is still happening or has just stopped.
Level B2
Tenses
Summary
- Use the present perfect continuous to emphasize the duration of an action that started in the past and is still happening or has just stopped.
Structure
subject + have/has + been + verb-ing
Examples
- I have been waiting for an hour.
- She has been studying English since 2020.
- It has been raining all day.
- They have been working on this project for months.
Common mistakes
- • Don't use it with state verbs: NOT 'I have been knowing her' → 'I have known her.'
- • Use 'for' with periods and 'since' with starting points: 'for two hours', 'since Monday'.
Related
More tenses
Present Simple
A1
Use the present simple for facts, habits, routines, and things that are generally true. Add -s/-es to the verb with he, she, and it.
Present Continuous
A1
Use the present continuous for actions happening now, around the present time, or for temporary situations. It is also used for fixed future arrangements.
Past Simple
A1
Use the past simple for completed actions at a definite time in the past. Regular verbs add -ed; many common verbs are irregular.
Future with 'Going To'
A2
Use 'going to' for plans and intentions decided before now, and for predictions based on present evidence.
Future with 'Will'
A2
Use 'will' for predictions, instant decisions made at the moment of speaking, promises, and offers.
Past Continuous
B1
Use the past continuous for an action in progress at a moment in the past, often interrupted by a shorter past simple action, or for two parallel ongoing actions.