Present perfect continuous (I have been doing)

Learn and practise the present perfect continuous in English.

A It’s been raining.

Study this example conversation:

present perfect continuous

We use the present perfect continuous for an activity that has recently stopped or just stopped:

present perfect continuous

  • Why are you out of breath? Have you been running?
  • Paul is very tired. He’s been working hard.
  • Why are you so tired? What have you been doing?
  • I’ve been talking to Amanda and she agrees with me.
  • Where have you been? I’ve been looking for you.
B It’s been raining for two hours.

Study this example situation:

present perfect continuous

  • How long have you been learning English? (= you’re still learning English)
  • Ben is watching TV. He’s been watching TV all day.
  • Where have you been? I’ve been looking for you for the last half hour
  • Chris hasn’t been feeling well recently.

You can use the present perfect continuous for repeated actions:

  • Silvia is a very good tennis player. She’s been playing since she was eight.
  • Every morning they meet in the same cafe. They’ve been going there for years.
С Compare I am doing and I have been doing:

present perfect continuous