The present perfect continuous
How to form the present perfect continuous
It's not a very common tense, and often it's not taught in classes, but we do use it sometimes and it's very good to know how to make it, and to recognise it when other people use it.
Luckily, it's very easy to make. Here's the positive.
Positive -Positive Short Form
I have been walking - I've been walking
you have been running - you’ve been running
he has been cooking - he's been cooking
she has been swimming - she's been swimming
it has been raining - it's been raining
we have been studying - we've been studying
they have been sleeping - they've been sleeping
To make the negative, just add 'not':
Negative - Negative Short Form
I have not been walking - I haven't been walking
you have not been running - you haven't been running
he has not been cooking - he hasn't been cooking
she has not been swimming - she hasn't been swimming
it has not been raining - it hasn't been raining
we have not been studying - we haven't been studying
they have not been sleeping - they haven't been sleeping
Can you guess how to make the question form of the present perfect continuous? It's not very difficult - just put 'have' or 'has' before the subject:
'Yes / No' Questions
have I been walking?
have you been running?
has he been cooking?
has she been swimming?
has it been raining?
have we been studying?
have they been sleeping?
For 'wh' questions put the question word first:
what have I been doing?
where have you been running?
what has he been studying?
why has she been working today?
how long has it been raining?
how long have we been watching this film?
how long have they been living here?
Unfinished actions
1: To say how long for unfinished actions which started in the past and continue to the present. We often use this with 'for' and 'since' (see the the present perfect simple page for more about 'for' and 'since').
I've been living in London for two years.
She's been working here since 2004.
We've been waiting for the bus for hours.
This use is very similar to how we use the present perfect simple, and often it's possible to use either tense. Of course, with stative verbs, we can't use the present perfect continuous.
I've been here for hours.
NOT: I've been being here for hours.
2: For temporary habits or situations. The action started in the past and continues to the present in the same way as with use number 1, but we don't answer the questions about 'how long' so clearly. Instead, we use a word like 'recently'.
I've been going to the gym a lot recently.
They've been living with his mother while they look for a house.
I've been reading a lot recently.
This is very similar to the use of the present continuous for temporary habits and often either tense is possible.
Finished actions
3: Actions which have recently stopped (though the whole action can be unfinished) and have a result, which we can often see, hear, or feel, in the present. We don't use a time word here.
I'm so tired, I've been studying.
I've been running, so I'm really hot.
It's been raining so the pavement is wet.
The present perfect simple has a very similar use, which focuses on the result of the action, whereas the present perfect continuous focuses on the action itself.
What's the difference?
Present Perfect Simple and Present Perfect Continuous
We use both of these tenses for finished and unfinished actions.
The present perfect simple can be used (often with 'since' and 'for') to talk about unfinished actions that started in the past and are still true in the present. It's often used with stative verbs:
I've known John for three years.
The present perfect continuous can also be used (often with 'since' and 'for') to talk about unfinished actions that started in the past and are still true in the present. (Of course, we don't use the present perfect continuous with stative verbs)
She's been living here for three years.
Sometimes there's really no difference in meaning between the two tenses. This is especially the case with verbs such as 'live', 'work' and 'study'.
They've lived in London since 2001.
They've been living in London since 2004.
I've studied French for ten years.
I've been studying French for ten years.
He's worked at the company since 2009.
He's been working at our company since 2009.
Sometimes, there is a difference in meaning:
1: The present perfect continuous can be used to emphasise the length of time that has passed. The present perfect simple is generally neutral:
They've been waiting for hours! (This emphasises the length of time).
They've waited for hours. (This doesn't emphasise the length of time).
2: On the other hand, the present perfect simple is often used when we're talking about how much or how many. This isn't possible with the present perfect continuous:
She's drunk three cups of coffee this mornins.
She's drunk at least a litre of coffee today.
3: The present perfect continuous often focuses on the action itself, while the present perfect simple focuses on the fact that the action is completed:
I've been reading the book you recommended. (I'm enjoying it, but I'm not finished).
I've read the book you recommended. (I've finished it, so we can talk about it).
We use 'yet' and 'already' with the present perfect simple:
Have you read the book yet?
She's finished her work already.
This difference is often used to talk about different kinds of results in the present. The present perfect simple is used when the action is finished, and the result comes from the action being finished:
I've eaten dinner, so let's go out.
She's done all her homework, so she can relax this evening.
I've made a cake. Would you like some?
The present perfect continuous is used when the result comes from the action itself. It doesn't matter if the whole action is finished or not. The result is often something we can see, hear, smell, or feel:
I've been eating dinner, so there are plates all over the table.
She's been doing her homework, so she's tired.
I've been making a cake, that's why the kitchen is such a mess.
4: Finally, the present perfect continuous can be used to emphasise that something is temporary:
She's been running a lot recently. (She doesn't usually do this).
Usually I study at home, but I've been studying in the library for the last week.