Present Perfect
Continuous
I've been waiting for an hour — duration of an activity up to now. Learn the rules, then practise.
Show rules
Form — have / has + been + -ing
| example | |
|---|---|
| positive | I 've been waiting. · He 's been washing the car. · They 've been cooking. |
| negative | I haven't been waiting. · He hasn't been washing the car. |
| question | Have you been waiting? · What have you been doing? |
Actions and situations up to the present
Use the present perfect continuous for actions that started in the past and are still continuing now:
We've been waiting to hear from them. · Clare's been living with her cousins.
Often with for / since to answer How long?
We've been waiting for about an hour. · I've been working since three o'clock.
The action can also have just finished at the moment of speaking:
I've been waiting in this queue for an hour! (now I'm at the front)
Clive's been driving all morning. (but now he's arrived)
Don't use the present perfect continuous when you say how many times or how much — use the present perfect simple:
❌ I've been washing the car twice. → ✅ I've washed the car twice.
❌ We've been having three lessons so far. → ✅ We've had three lessons so far.
Don't use the present perfect continuous with always, already, yet:
❌ I haven't been washing the car yet. → ✅ I haven't washed the car yet.
Recent continuous actions with present results
Use the present perfect continuous for a recent activity that explains a present situation or feeling:
'Your clothes are wet!' 'I've been washing the car.'
'Have you lost weight?' 'Yes, I've been going to the gym a lot.'
The action may not be complete:
I've been reading 'War and Peace' but I'm only halfway through.
Present perfect (NOT present simple / continuous) for situations up to now
For a situation that is still continuing, use the present perfect — simple or continuous, but never present simple or continuous:
❌ I live here for five months. → ✅ I've lived here for five months.
❌ I am living here for five months. → ✅ I've been living here for five months.
Common mistakes
| ❌ | ✅ |
|---|---|
| I 've been washing the car twice this week. | I 've washed the car twice this week. |
| I haven't been washing the car yet. | I haven't washed the car yet. |
| He 's been always wanting to be a pilot. | He 's always wanted to be a pilot. |
| I live here for two years. | I 've been living here for two years. |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you form the present perfect continuous?
Use have / has + been + the -ing form: I've been waiting, she's been working. Negatives use haven't / hasn't been + -ing. Questions invert: 'Have you been waiting?' 'What have you been doing?'
What's the difference between present perfect simple and continuous?
Use present perfect continuous to emphasise duration of an ongoing or recent activity: 'I've been waiting for an hour.' Use present perfect simple when you mention a number or amount, or with 'already / yet / always': 'I've washed the car twice this week', 'I haven't washed it yet', 'He's always wanted to be a pilot.' State verbs (know, like, want) only take the simple form.
When do you use present perfect continuous to give a reason?
Use it to explain a present situation or result with a recent activity. 'Your clothes are wet!' 'I've been washing the car.' 'Have you lost weight?' 'I've been going to the gym.' 'I've been reading War and Peace' (but I'm not finished). The activity may or may not be complete.
Why is 'I live here for five months' wrong?
For a situation that started in the past and continues now, English uses the present perfect (simple or continuous), not the present simple or continuous. Say 'I've lived here for five months' or 'I've been living here for five months' — not 'I live here for five months' or 'I am living here for five months'.