/Tenses — Present Perfect
B1Tenses — Present Perfect

Present Perfect Continuous

1

What is it?

The present perfect continuous (also called the present perfect progressive) is used to describe an activity that started in the past and has been in progress up to now — or has just recently stopped. It emphasises the ongoing duration of the activity, and often explains a present situation: "She's been running — that's why she looks out of breath." It's a natural, fluid tense used in both everyday speech and formal writing.

2

How to form it

SubjectPositiveNegativeQuestion
II've been workingI haven't been workingHave I been working?
YouYou've been workingYou haven't been workingHave you been working?
He / She / ItShe's been workingShe hasn't been workingHas she been working?
WeWe've been workingWe haven't been workingHave we been working?
TheyThey've been workingThey haven't been workingHave they been working?
  • • Form: have/has + been + verb-ing.
  • • I, you, we, they → have been. He, she, it → has been.
  • • Negative: haven't/hasn't been + verb-ing.
  • • Question: Have/Has + subject + been + verb-ing?
  • • Same -ing spelling rules apply: run → running, make → making.
  • • Stative verbs (know, want, believe) are not normally used in this form.
3

When to use it

  1. 1

    An activity in progress from a point in the past up to now — emphasising duration.

    "I've been studying English for three years." / "She's been working on this project since January."

  2. 2

    An activity that has just stopped but has visible present results.

    "You look tired — have you been sleeping?" / "She's been crying — her eyes are red."

  3. 3

    Explaining the cause of a present situation or physical state.

    "I'm exhausted because I've been training all week." / "His hands are dirty — he's been fixing the car."

  4. 4

    An activity that has been in progress for a while — with for and since.

    "How long have you been waiting?" / "They've been dating since March."

  5. 5

    Something that has been happening repeatedly over a period.

    "I've been getting headaches lately." / "She's been making mistakes at work."

4

Common mistakes

I've been knowing her for years.

I've known her for years.

'Know' is a stative verb. Use the present perfect simple, not the continuous.

She has been finished the report.

She has finished the report.

Focus on completion — the report is done. Use present perfect simple: has finished.

How long have you been wait?

How long have you been waiting?

The continuous form needs -ing: have been waiting.

5

Quick reference

  • Present perfect continuous = have/has been + verb-ing.
  • Use it to emphasise the duration of an ongoing or recently finished activity.
  • With for and since to show how long.
  • Explains visible present results caused by recent activity.
  • Stative verbs (know, believe, want) use the present perfect simple.
  • Focus on process → continuous. Focus on completion → simple.
6

Natural conversation example

Two friends meeting after a few weeks apart.

S

Sam

You look great! Have you been going to the gym?
N

Nina

Yeah, I've been training five days a week. Started about two months ago.
S

Sam

It's clearly working. How long have you been doing the new job?
N

Nina

Since September. I've been commuting to the city every day — it's exhausting.
S

Sam

Have you been enjoying it though?
N

Nina

Mostly yes. I've been learning so much. My manager has been really supportive.
S

Sam

What about you? Your eyes look tired — have you been sleeping OK?
N

Nina

Not really. I've been staying up too late. I need to sort that out.

Practice Exercises

Complete each sentence with the present perfect continuous form of the verb in brackets.

  1. 1.
    I (study) for this exam all week. I need a break.
  2. 2.
    She looks worn out — she (run) in this heat.
  3. 3.
    How long (you / wait) here?
  4. 4.
    He (not / sleep) well lately.
  5. 5.
    They (work) on this contract since last month.
  6. 6.
    (she / practise) for the concert?
  7. 7.
    I (get) a lot of headaches this month.
  8. 8.
    We (not / have) any rain for weeks.
  9. 9.
    He (teach) at this school for twelve years.
  10. 10.
    What (you / do) all morning?
Present Perfect UseAll TopicsPresent Perfect Continuous Use

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