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Ch 19

Present Perfect Continuous

have been + -ing · for/since · vs PP simple

Present perfect continuous

An action that started in the past and is still continuing — emphasis on the duration or recent activity.

subject + have/has been + verb-ing
Ongoing duration
I have been studying for three hours.
Recent activity
She looks tired — she has been running.
How long?
How long have you been learning English?

PP simple vs PP continuous

Simple — result/completion
I have written three reports.
completed, countable
She has lived here all her life.
Continuous — duration/activity
I have been writing all morning.
activity in progress
She has been working since 8am.

for and since

for + period
I have been waiting for an hour.
since + starting point
She has been working here since 2020.
all + period
He has been studying all day.

Evidence of recent activity

Evidence
You look exhausted — have you been working all night?
Visible result
Her eyes are red — she has been crying.
Smell/appearance
Why are you sweaty? I have been running.

Common mistakes

I am working here since 2020.
→
I have been working here since 2020.
"since" needs present perfect continuous
She has been knowing him for years.
→
She has known him for years.
stative verb → PP simple
I have been writing three emails.
→
I have written three emails.
countable completed → PP simple

Your turn

Answer out loud — full sentences

Answer with have / has been + -ing.

1
How long have you been learning English?
2
What have you been doing a lot recently?
3
You look happy — what have you been doing?
4
How long have you been living in your home?

Recap

Form
have/has been + -ing
I have been studying all day.
Use 1
ongoing action from past to now
for 3 hours / since Monday
Use 2
recent activity with present result
She's tired — she's been working.
vs PP simple
continuous = activity · simple = result/count
writing all morning / written 3 emails
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