Present perfect continuous
Use the present perfect continuous (have been + -ing) for an activity that started in the past and is still going on, or has just stopped and left a visible result.
How it works
- Form: have/has been + -ing: I've been waiting for twenty minutes.
- Use it for an activity that started in the past and continues now, often with for, since or how long: How long have you been learning English?
- Use it for a recent activity whose result you can see: Your eyes are red. Have you been crying?
- Use the present perfect simple for a finished result or a number: I've written three emails (not I've been writing three emails).
- State verbs (know, own, like, believe) do not normally take the continuous form: I've known her for years.
Examples
I've been waiting for the bus for half an hour.
It has been raining in Hanoi since Monday.
How long have you been working at the bank?
You look exhausted. Have you been running?
She's been cooking all morning, and she's made five dishes.
Common mistakes
Wrong: I
amlearning English for five years.Right: I have been learning English for five years.
Wrong: I have
been knowinghim since university.Right: I have known him since university.
Wrong: I've
been readingfour books this month.Right: I've read four books this month.
Practice
1 of 16Choose the answer that fits.
Level: EGP Verbs (present perfect continuous): the affirmative form with for/since is used from B1; choosing it over the present perfect simple (activity and duration vs result and number) is controlled at B2. Written for Gloss.