Present Perfect Progressive (Continuous)

The present perfect progressive shows an action that started in the past, has been in progress for some time, and still continues now (or has a present result).

I’ve been studying English for two years.
She’s been running; that’s why she’s out of breath.

Form

have/has + been + verb-ing

Type	Structure	Example
Affirmative	I/you/we/they have been + V-ing He/she/it has been + V-ing	We have been waiting for 30 minutes.
Negative	I/you/we/they haven’t been + V-ing He/she/it hasn’t been + V-ing	She hasn’t been sleeping well lately.
Questions	Have/Has + subject + been + V-ing…?	Have you been working from home this week?

Contractions: I’ve, you’ve, we’ve, they’ve, he’s, she’s, it’s; haven’t, hasn’t.

-ing spelling: make → making; run → running; lie → lying.

Main Uses

Action continuing until now (often with for/since).
He has been living here since 2022.
To emphasize the duration of an action or habit that started in the past and continues in the present.
She has been sleeping since 10 p.m.
I have been taking this medicine for three days.
Temporary situations / repeated recent activity.
I have been working from home this week.
Present result of a recent activity.
You’re wet because it has been raining.

Time Expressions

for two hours, since May/2023/last night, lately, recently, all day/morning, so far, and the question How long…?

How long have you been learning English? — Since I was 12.

Present Perfect Progressive vs. Present Perfect Simple

Choose the form based on what you want to emphasize:

Focus	Present Perfect Progressive	Present Perfect Simple
Emphasis	Activity/duration/process	Result/number/completed action
Example	I have been reading that book for hours.	I have read 50 pages.
Ongoing?	Often still continuing	Often finished / achievement

Note: With some verbs (work, live, teach), there is often no difference in meaning between the present perfect and the present perfect progressive when talking about duration.

They have lived / have been living here since 2010.

Stative (Non-action) Verbs

Verbs like know, believe, like, love, understand, own, need are usually not used in continuous forms.

✅ I have known her since 2019.
❌ I have been knowing her…

Common Mistakes

❌ I am studying English since 2021. → ✅ I have been studying English since 2021.
❌ Missing “been”: She has working here. → ✅ She has been working here.
Avoid rare forms like has been being in everyday English.

← Back to Grammar 🏠 Home