Present perfect continuous tense
Learn the present perfect continuous tense (has or have been + -ing) for actions continuing until now, with for and since, negatives and questions.
In this lesson
The present perfect continuous tense, also called the present perfect progressive, describes an action that started in the past and is still continuing, or that stopped very recently and has a result now. We form it with has been or have been plus the -ing form of the verb: I have been studying since this morning.
Key point
Present perfect continuous = subject + has or have + been + verb-ing. It focuses on the activity and how long it has lasted, often with for or since.
How do you form the present perfect continuous tense?
The basic pattern is subject + has/have been + V1 + ing, where V1 is the base form of the verb. Use has with he, she, it and singular nouns, and have with I, you, we, they and plural nouns.
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Positive | Subject + has or have + been + verb-ing | She has been studying. |
| Negative | Subject + has or have + not + been + verb-ing | She has not (hasn’t) been studying. |
| Question | Has or Have + subject + been + verb-ing? | Has she been studying? |
| Short answer | Yes or No + subject + has, have, hasn’t or haven’t | Yes, she has. / No, she hasn’t. |
When do you use the present perfect continuous tense?
1. Past actions that are still continuing
Examples
- You have been waiting here for two hours. (You are still waiting.)
- I have been studying since this morning. (I am still studying.)
2. Past actions that stopped recently, with a result now
Examples
- I’m tired because I have been running.
- She is so tired because she has been dancing.
Common mistake
I am waiting here for two hours. → I have been waiting here for two hours.
For and since
The words for and since are often used in these sentences.
| Word | Use | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| for | a period of time | for two hours, for two weeks, for two months, for a decade |
| since | a point of time in the past | since six o’clock, since Monday, since last month, since last week, since 21 March |
Time expressions
Other common words are all day, all morning, recently, lately and the question How long…? (How long have you been learning English?).
How do you make the negative?
Put not after has or have: subject + has/have + not + been + V1 + ing. The short forms are hasn’t been and haven’t been.
Examples
- I have not been writing the letter. / I haven’t been writing the letter.
- You have not been playing cricket. / You haven’t been playing cricket.
- We have not been practising. / We haven’t been practising.
- She has not been studying. / She hasn’t been studying.
- He has not been teaching. / He hasn’t been teaching.
Common mistake
She hasn’t been study. → She hasn’t been studying.
How do you ask questions?
Move has or have to the front: has/have + subject + been + V1 + ing?
Examples
- Have I been playing?
- Have they been reading?
- Have you been working?
- Has she been crying?
- Has he been fighting?
Short answers use has or have: Have you been working? Yes, I have. / No, I haven’t.
Present perfect continuous or present perfect?
The present perfect continuous focuses on the activity and how long it has lasted. The present perfect tense focuses on the result or how much is finished.
Examples
- I have been reading this book for two hours. (the activity)
- I have read three chapters. (the result)
Tip
Ask How long? and use the continuous form. Ask How much? or How many? and use the present perfect.
Note
State verbs such as know, like and believe do not usually take the continuous form. Say I have known him for years, not I have been knowing him for years.
For an action that continues now without a link to the past, use the present continuous tense. For the same idea in the past, study the past perfect continuous tense. You can also compare both forms in the British Council lesson on the present perfect simple and continuous.
Summary
- Form: has or have + been + verb-ing (She has been dancing).
- Use it for actions that started in the past and are still continuing, or that stopped recently with a result now.
- Use for with a period of time and since with a point in time.
- Negative: hasn’t or haven’t been + verb-ing. Question: Has or Have + subject + been + verb-ing?
- Do not use it with state verbs such as know and like.
Frequently asked questions
What is another name for the present perfect continuous tense?
It is also called the present perfect progressive tense. Both names mean an action that has been in progress up to now.
What is the difference between “I have been reading” and “I have read”?
I have been reading focuses on the activity and its length. I have read focuses on the finished result, for example how many books.
Can I say “I am living here for five years”?
No. For an action from the past until now, use I have been living here for five years, or I have lived here for five years.
When do I use for and when do I use since?
Use for with a length of time, such as for two hours. Use since with a starting point, such as since Monday or since six o’clock.
Practise this lesson
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5 questions
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