LANG CHEAT SHEET

Present Perfect Continuous

We use the Present Perfect Continuous (have/has been + -ing) for an action that started in the past and is still continuing: I have been studying English for two years.

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  • We use the Present Perfect Continuous (have/has been + -ing) for an action that started in the past and is still continuing: I have been studying English for two years.
  • We also use it for an action that has just stopped, when we can see its result now: She's tired because she has been running.
  • For and since: use 'for' with a period of time (for two hours) and 'since' with a starting point (since 2020).
PRONOUN
+
-
I / You / We / They
I have been studying English for two years.
I haven't been studying much lately.
He / She / It
She has been working here since 2020.
She hasn't been working very hard today.
Recent result
You look tired — you've been running, haven't you?
It hasn't been raining, the ground is dry.
PRONOUN
QUESTION
ANSWER
I / You / We / They
Have you been studying English for long?
Yes, I have. / No, I haven't.
He / She / It
Has he been waiting long?
Yes, he has. / No, he hasn't.
Recent result
Why are your hands dirty?
I've been gardening all morning.

Complete the sentences with the Present Perfect Continuous form of the verb in brackets.

  1. I (learn) Portuguese for six months.
  2. She (wait) for the bus for twenty minutes.
  3. you been waiting long? Yes, I have
  4. They (not / sleep) well this week.
  5. We (live) in this city since 2018.
  6. He (work) on this project all day.
  7. it been raining all morning? Yes, it has
  8. My eyes are red because I (cry).