present perfect continuous

The present perfect continuous talks about an activity that began in the past and continues up to now. It often answers the question How long?, with for (a length of time) or since (a starting point).

It has three parts: have or has, been, and the verb with -ing. Use has with he, she and it. In speech and messages, I have becomes I've and she has becomes she's.

Something that has just stopped

The activity can also be finished, but only just. You can see the result now.

Present perfect or present perfect continuous

The present perfect (have done) is about the result: what is finished, or how many. The continuous form (have been doing) is about the activity and how long it has lasted.

With a number of things (three emails, ten pages), use the present perfect.

Verbs that don't take -ing

Verbs for states, like know, like, want, have (own) and be, use the present perfect instead.

Common mistakes

For something that started in the past and is still true, English doesn't use the present tense.

• × I am waiting here since ten o'clock. → I've been waiting here since ten o'clock.
• × She works here for six months. → She's been working here for six months.
• × I've been knowing him for years. → I've known him for years.
• × How long are you living in Manchester? → How long have you been living in Manchester?