Intermediate 📐 Grammar · #89 of 305

Present Perfect Continuous

have been + -ing stresses duration up to now.

Examples

  • I've been studying for two hours.

Key rules

  • Form: have/has been + verb-ing
  • Use it for an action that started in the past and continues now, or just stopped with a visible result
  • Use for/since with duration
  • Stative verbs like know or own do not take it

Common mistakes

  • I am studying for two hours → I have been studying for two hours
  • She has been work here since May → She has been working here since May
💡 Tip: Ask yourself: is the focus on how long? If yes, use the continuous.
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Related Intermediate topics

See all Intermediate grammar lessons →

Past Perfect

had + past participle for an earlier past action.

Past Perfect Continuous

had been + -ing for duration before a past moment.

Future Continuous

will be + -ing for actions in progress at a future time.

Future Perfect

will have + past participle for completion before a future time.

Future Perfect Continuous

will have been + -ing for duration up to a future point.

Second Conditional

if + past, would + verb for unreal present or future.