⏳ Present Perfect Continuous Tense: A Complete Guide

The Present Perfect Continuous Tense (also called Present Perfect Progressive) is used to describe actions that started in the past and continue up to the present, or actions that have recently stopped but have results in the present.

✅ 1. Form

Structure: Subject + have/has been + verb-ing

🔹 Affirmative

• I have been working all day.
• She has been studying for the test since morning.

🔹 Negative

Structure: Subject + have/has not been + verb-ing

• He has not been feeling well lately.
• We haven’t been sleeping properly this week.

🔹 Questions

Yes/No: Have/Has + subject + been + verb-ing?
Wh-: Wh-word + have/has + subject + been + verb-ing?

• Have you been exercising regularly?
• How long has she been waiting here?

🧠 2. Meaning and Use

🔸 A. Actions Continuing Up to the Present

We use the Present Perfect Continuous to describe actions that started in the past and are still happening now.

• I have been learning Spanish for three months. (I’m still learning.)
• They have been living in Yangon since 2010. (They still live there.)

🔸 B. Actions That Have Recently Stopped

We use this tense to talk about actions that have just finished, with visible evidence or present results.

• She has been crying. (Her eyes are red.)
• He has been running. (He’s out of breath.)

🔸 C. Repeated Activity Over Time

To express a repeated action happening over a period leading to the present.

• We have been meeting every weekend to plan the project.
• You have been spending too much time online lately.

⏰ 3. Time Expressions Used

These expressions are commonly used with the Present Perfect Continuous to show duration or recent completion:

• For + a period of time (e.g., for two hours, for six months)
  Example: I have been reading for an hour.
• Since + a point in time (e.g., since morning, since 2015)
  Example: She has been working here since April.
• How long: used in questions
  Example: How long have you been waiting?
• Lately / Recently: for ongoing or very recent activity
  Example: I’ve been feeling tired lately.

❗ 4. Common Mistakes

• ❌ I am working here for three years.
  ✅ I have been working here for three years.
• ❌ He has been work all day.
  ✅ He has been working all day.
• ❌ We have been waited for hours.
  ✅ We have been waiting for hours.

🧠 5. Tips to Remember

• Use have/has been + verb-ing — never use the past form of the verb.
• For answers the question "How long?" with a duration (e.g., for 10 minutes).
• Since gives a starting point in time (e.g., since January).
• Don’t use non-continuous verbs (like know, like, love) in this tense.