Present Perfect Continuous Tense

When something started in the past and has continued up until now you use the Present Perfect Continuous Tense. For events started in the past with a connection to the present

Example:
You have been sleeping for five hours.
Have you been sleeping for five hours?
You have not been sleeping for five hours.

Positive	Negative	Question
I have been working.	I have not been working.	Have I been working?
You have been working.	You have not been working.	Have you been working?
We have been working.	We have not been working.	Have we been working?
They have been working.	They have not been working.	Have they been working?
He has been working.	He has not been working.	Has he been working?
She has been working.	She has not been working.	Has she been working?
It has been working.	It has not been working.	Has it been working?

Positive	Negative	Question
I have been living in Paris for 3 years.	I have not been living in Paris for 3 years.	Have I been living in Paris for 3 years?
You have been living in Paris for 3 years.	You have not been living in Paris for 3 years.	Have you been living in Paris for 3 years?
We have been living in Paris for 3 years.	We have not been living in Paris for 3 years.	Have we been living in Paris for 3 years?
They have been living in Paris for 3 years.	They have not been living in Paris for 3 years.	Have they been living in Paris for 3 years?
He has been living in Paris for 3 years.	He has not been living in Paris for 3 years.	Has he been living in Paris for 3 years?
She has been living in Paris for 3 years.	She has not been living in Paris for 3 years.	Has she been living in Paris for 3 years?
It has been living in Paris for 3 years.	It has not been living in Paris for 3 years.	Has it been living in Paris for 3 years?

Present Continuous / Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Present Continuous	Present Perfect Continuous
I am playing tennis.	I have been playing tennis.
You are playing tennis.	You have been playing tennis.
He/She is playing tennis.	He/She has been playing tennis.
We are playing tennis.	We have been playing tennis.
You are playing tennis.	You have been playing tennis.
They are playing tennis.	They have been playing tennis.

Present Continuous versus Present Perfect Continuous Tense

*Action in progress:*	*Action that started in the past and is still in progress:*
I'm talking to you.	I've been talking to you for five minutes.
.	I've been talking to you since 11.30.
You're listening to me.	You've been listening to me for a few minutes.
It's raining.	It has been raining all morning.
.	It has been raining since I woke up.

Common Mistakes

I'm working here for two years. (mistake)
I have been working here for two years. (correct)
I study English for 6 months. (mistake)
I have been studying English for 6 months. (correct)
We are waiting here since 2 o'clock. (mistake)
We have been waiting since 2 o'clock. (correct).
He is doing his homework since he woke up. (mistake)
He has been doing his homework since he woke up. (correct)

Back to - Study English Grammar
Go from - Present Perfect Continuous Tense - to - Home