Present Perfect Continuous

Use of the Present Perfect Continuous:

The presernt Perfect Continuous, is used when speaking of an action that had a duration which has just finished, or an action started in the past that continues to the present. It is also used when the action and it’s duration is more important than the state of the action. It is normally used with How Long and How Much is used with the Present Perfect Simple. As previously mentioned when using the continuos form it gives the phrase a sense of movement. ex. I have worked today or I have been working today. Also to be noted often there is very litle difference or none between the Present Perfect Simple and The Present Perfect Continuous.

  •  an action that starts in the past and continues to the present 

I have been painting the room all day.

  • recently completed actions (focus is on the action)

She looks tired, she has been running.

Key Words

  • All morning
  • For the past two days
  • The whole week
  • For
  • Since
  • Recently

Form

have/has + been + infinitive + -ing

Affirmative form

Long formsContracted forms
I have been playing tennis all morning.I‘ve been playing tennis all morning.
You have been playing tennis for two hours.
You‘ve been playing tennis for two hours.
He has been playing tennis all evening.He‘s been playing tennis all evening.

Negative form

Long formsContracted forms
I have not been rowing recently.I‘ve not been rowing recently.
I haven’t been rowing since last week.
You have not been rowing since last week.You‘ve not been rowing since last week.
You haven’t been rowing since last week.
He has not been rowing.He‘s not been rowing.
He hasn’t been rowing.

Interrogative form

Long formsContracted forms
Have I been watching TV since this afternoon?not possible
Have you been watching TV all afternoon?
Has he been watching TV all day?