Present Perfect Continuous (summary)
We need the present perfect continuous, or the present perfect progressive tense to emphasize that the action started in the past and
- either has just finished
- or is still going on
For example
— Why are you out of breath? — I have been running.
I have been waiting for you for twenty minutes! Where are you?
The indicators, or the signal words, of the present perfect continuous are for, since and how long.
The present perfect continuous is formed by the auxiliary verb have been (= "have" in the present perfect) and the main verb with -ing ending.
| pronoun | have been/has been | infinitive + ing |
|---|---|---|
| I you we they |
have been ('ve been) |
doing |
| he she it |
has been ('s been) |
You can read more on how to form and how to use the present perfect continuous in the topics below.