This document explains the present perfect continuous tense in English. It shows the affirmative, negative, and interrogative forms using have/has been and an -ing verb. The tense emphasizes the duration of an ongoing action or one that began in the past and may still be continuing. It can refer to actions with visible results or those that have not finished yet. The present perfect continuous is used for ongoing activities, while the present perfect simple is used for completed actions, repeated events, or those connected to the present.

1. PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
FORM (HAVE/HAS + BEEN + -ING)
AFFIRMATIVE
I HAVE / ‘ve BEEN PLAYING FOOTBALL.
HE HAS / ‘s BEEN PLAYING FOOTBALL.
NEGATIVE
I HAVE NOT / haven’t BEEN PLAYING FOOTBALL.
HE HAS NOT / hasn’t BEEN PLAYING FOOTBALL.
INTERROGATIVE
HAVE YOU BEEN PLAYING FOOTBALL?
HAS HE BEEN PLAYING FOOTBALL?

2. USE
 It puts emphasis on the duration of an action
(not the result).
Example: She has been writing for two hours.
We can use it to refer to an action that has
finished but you can still see evidence (the results
of the activity can still be seen).
Example: Oh, the kitchen is a mess. Who has
been cooking?
Look! It’s been raining (The streets are wet)
 It can refer to an action that has not finished.
Example: I’ve been learning German for 20 years
and I still do not know very much.

3. PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE – PRESENT PERFECT
CONTINUOUS

Who has eaten my
sandwich?
(The plate is empty)

It has snowed every winter
for years.
(A repeated occurrence)


It has been snowing all day
(A continuing activity)
I’ve been reading your
book.
( I haven’t finished it)

I have read your book.
(I’ve finished it)

Who has been eating my
sandwich?
(Some is left)