In English we use the present perfect continuous for the following reasons :
We use 'for' before a period of time and 'since' before a point in time. For example, for ten years or since 2008.
Notes for use of present perfect continuous :
It is not possible to use state verbs in the present perfect continuous, except for 'want' and 'mean'. To answer a question about how long with a state verb, we use the present perfect simple.
The table below shows the different forms of present perfect continuous :
Example verb : Do | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
Positive | ...'ve been doing ... | ...'s been doing ... |
Negative | ... haven't been doing ... | ... hasn't been doing ... |
Questions | Have ... been doing ...? | Has ... been doing ...? |
Short answers | Yes, ... have. / No, ... haven't. | Yes, ... has. / No, ... hasn't. |
Present Perfect Continuous Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Perfect Continuous :
Negative Examples of Present Perfect Continuous :
Question Examples of Present Perfect Continuous :
In English we usually use the present perfect continuous to talk about an activity that started in the past and continues in the present.
Example Sentence :
We usually use the present perfect simple to talk about a state that started in the past and continues in the present.
Example Sentences :
With some verbs both verb forms are possible.
In English we usually use the present perfect continuous to say how long an activity has been happening.
Example Sentence :
We usually use the present perfect simple to say how many things are finished.
Example Sentence :
We use the present perfect continuous for longer actions that have recently finished, but have a result in the present.
Example Sentence :
In English we often use the present perfect continuous with verbs that talk about longer activities such as learn, rain, try, play, work, read, wait, etc.
In English we don't usually use the present perfect continuous with verbs that talk about short actions such as start, find, lose, break, buy, stop, etc. Then we use present perfect simple.
Present Perfect Simple or Continuous?
In English we use the present perfect continuous to emphasize the action we've been doing :
eg. I've been cleaning the house.
In English we use the present perfect simple to say an action has been completed :
eg. I've cleaned the house.
In English we often use present perfect simple with verbs that describe short actions: break, start, find, lose, buy, stop, finish...
In English we often use the present perfect continuous with verbs that describe longer actions: learn, study, rain, try, play, read, wait...
In English we usually use the present perfect continuous to talk about how long something has been happening :
eg. I have been studying English for 5 years.
In English we usually use the present perfect simple to talk about how many things have been completed :
eg. I have written 10 emails this morning.
Present perfect continuous example sentences | |
---|---|
Erm... But you know, they have been living here for a long time. | |
They have been delaying the meeting for a long time! | |
I've been working on it for months. | |
Hmm.. Let me guess how long you have been living here. | |
You've been living here for at least 3 years. | |
Nightmare! Who knows how long it's been sitting there?! |