Lesson 22 of 36 · intermediate

Present Perfect Continuous

Say how long something has been going on, and is still going on.

Forming it

Use have been or has been, then the -ing form of the verb.

I have been working since morning.
She has been studying for three hours.
They have been waiting a long time.
It has been raining all day.

When to use it

Use it for an action that started in the past and is still continuing now, when you want to stress how long it has lasted. It also explains a present result.

We have been living here for ten years. (and we still live here)
He has been driving since 5 a.m. (and he is still driving)
Your eyes are red. Have you been crying?
The ground is wet because it has been raining.

For and since

Use 'for' with a length of time, and 'since' with the point when it started. This is the most useful pair of words in the whole tense.

I have been learning English for two years.
I have been learning English since 2024.
She has been on the phone for forty minutes.
They have been married since April.

Compared with the present perfect

The present perfect looks at the result; the present perfect continuous looks at the activity and its length. With 'how long' questions, the continuous is usually the natural choice.

I have read that book. (finished it)
I have been reading that book. (still reading)
She has written three emails. (count of results)
She has been writing emails all morning. (the activity)
How long have you been waiting?

More examples in context

This tense comes up constantly when you explain a delay, a tiredness, or how long you have been at something.

I have been trying to call you since yesterday.
We have been looking for a bigger flat for months.
He has been feeling unwell since Monday.
They have been building that bridge for two years.
Sorry I am late — I have been standing in a queue.
How long has she been working here?

Common mistakes to avoid

These are the errors to watch for, including one that is very common in Indian English.

✗ I am waiting since two hours. → ✓ I have been waiting for two hours.
✗ I am living here since 2019. → ✓ I have been living here since 2019.
✗ She has been knowing him for years. → ✓ She has known him for years.
✗ I have been working since three hours. → ✓ I have been working for three hours.
✗ He has been went to the market. → ✓ He has gone to the market.

Quick practice

Complete each sentence, then check your answer.

I ___ ___ ___ (wait) for the bus for an hour. (answer: have been waiting)
She has been teaching ___ 2015. (for / since) (answer: since)
They have been playing ___ two hours. (for / since) (answer: for)
How long ___ you ___ ___ (learn) English? (answer: have you been learning)
It ___ ___ ___ (rain) since lunchtime. (answer: has been raining)