Present perfect continuous: form
We usehave/has+been+ the -ingform of the verb.
+ | she, he, it I, you, we, they | has have | been working. | |
− | she, he, it I, you, we, they | (full form) has not have not | been working. | |
she, he, it I, you, we, they | (short form) hasn’t haven’t | |||
? + | Has Have | she, he, it I, you, we, they | been working? | |
? − | (full form) Has Have | she, he, it I, you, we, they | not | been working? |
(short form) Hasn’t Haven’t | she, he, it I, you, we, they | |||
Present perfect continuous: uses
Recent past activities
We use the present perfect continuous to talk about a finished activity in the recent past. Using the present perfect continuous focuses on the activity.
We don’t give a specific time. Even though the activity is finished, we can see the result in the present:
I’vejustbeencleaningthe car.(The car is wet and clean.)
It’sbeensnowing.(The ground is covered in snow.)
Whathaveyoubeen buying?
One continuing event
We use the present perfect continuous for a single activity that began at a point in the past and is still continuing:
I’vebeenreadingyour book – it’s great.(I’m still reading it.)
He’s been livingin the village since 1995.(He is still living in the village.)
Shehas been writingher autobiography since 1987.
Repeated continuing events
We use the present perfect continuous to talk about repeated activities which started at a particular time in the past and are still continuing up until now:
I’vebeen goingto Spain on holiday every year since 1987.
Ihaven’t been eatingmuch lunch lately. I’vebeengoingto the gym at lunchtimes.
She’sbeenplayingtennis on and off for three years.
How long …?
We often use the present perfect continuous to ask and answer questions about the duration of an activity. We use the questionHow long …+present perfect continuous:
A:How longhaveyoubeen waitingfor me?
B:About ten minutes. Not too long. (I’ve been waiting for about ten minutes.)
See also:
For
How