Present Perfect Continuous Tense
The present perfect continuous is used to describe actions that started in the past and are still happening now or were going on recently and have visible results in the present. It connects past duration with present time and emphasizes how long an action has been in progress.
Structure
Subject + has/have + been + Present Participle (verb + ing)
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I/You/We/They have been + V-ing
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He/She/It has been + V-ing
Examples:
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I have been studying for three hours.
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She has been working at the hospital since morning.
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They have been playing football all day.
When Present Perfect Continuous is Used
1. Actions that started in the past and continue now
The action has not finished—it is ongoing.
Examples:
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He has been living in Lahore since 2018.
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We have been waiting for you.
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She has been reading the same book for two weeks.
Common time markers: since, for, all day, lately, recently
2. Actions that recently stopped, but their effects are still visible or felt
Here, the action may be finished, but there is evidence of it in the present.
Examples:
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She is tired because she has been cleaning the house.
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His clothes are dirty; he has been fixing the car.
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I have been cooking, that is why the kitchen is messy.
3. To show irritation or complaint about repeated behavior
Often used with “lately” or “recently.”
Examples:
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He has been calling me again and again.
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They have been arguing a lot lately.
Time Expressions Commonly Used
| Expression | Meaning |
|---|---|
| since | starting point (since 2019, since Monday) |
| for | duration (for 2 hours, for many years) |
| lately / recently | in the near past, ongoing effect |
| all day/week/month | continuous time period |
Negative Form
Subject + has/have not been + V-ing
Examples:
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She has not been studying for the exam.
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They have not been working on the project recently.
Interrogative Form
Has/Have + subject + been + V-ing?
Examples:
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Have you been feeling unwell?
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Has he been playing games all night?
Difference: Present Perfect vs. Present Perfect Continuous
| Present Perfect | Present Perfect Continuous |
|---|---|
| Focus on result | Focus on duration or action in progress |
| I have written three articles. | I have been writing articles all day. |
| She has cooked dinner. | She has been cooking since morning. |
Real-Life Uses
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Daily life:
We have been working on this assignment for hours. -
Professional:
The team has been developing new software since last year. -
Academic:
Researchers have been collecting data for the past six months.
Summary
The present perfect continuous tense is used to express:
- an action started in the past and still happening
- an action that has recently finished but shows present results
- duration and continuity of activities
- repeated or irritating behavior in recent time
Structure and usage make it perfect for describing real-life scenarios, long-term activities, and continued progress.