Present Perfect Continuous – When do we use it?
1. We use it to emphasise how long an action has been going on. It started in the past, is still ongoing, and may continue.
We use it with: for, since, how long, all day, all morning, etc.
- How long have you been waiting for the bus?
- I have been waiting for the bus since 7 o’clock.
FOR + length of time
for two hours
for a short time
for ages
for five minutes
SINCE + starting point
since 8 o’clock
since I met him
since Christmas
since I was young
Note:
We cannot use the progressive form with state verbs.
- We have had the car for two years. to have: a state verb
- I have been married for ten years. to be: a state verb
Difference between past simple and present perfect.
- I was married for ten years. (means that I am not married at present)
- I have been married for ten years. (means that I am still married)
2. We use present perfect continuous with lately, recently for temporary habits.
- I haven’t been feeling well recently.
- He’s been sneezing a lot lately.
3. We use the present perfect continuous for actions in the past that have a result in the present. We can see, smell, feel, or hear it.
You have been jogging.
Have you been smoking?
It has been raining.
I can see it, you are out of breath, you are hot, you are sweating….
I suggest that I can smell the smoke on you.
I can see it because the pavement is wet.