Present Perfect Continuous

First time here? You may want to see the list of basic facts about tenses.
We use the Present Perfect Continuous (Progressive) to express actions that started in the past and continue in the present. This tense is also used to talk about actions which began in the past and have recently stopped.
Use
  1. Actions that started in the past and continue in the present
  2. Actions that have recently stopped
Sorry, you need to install flash to see this content.



Click to read about "for" and "since".

Form
Declarative sentences:

A sentence in the Present Perfect Continuous consists of:

Subject + Auxiliary verb + Auxiliary verb + Verb + ing
I/a dog etc. has/have been swimming etc.

Sorry, you need to install flash to see this content.

 
My friend has been sleeping for five hours (Use 2) (he is still sleeping or she has just woken up)
    Examples Use
    She's been crying in her room for half an hour now (Use 1)
    We've been waiting for a good offer to buy a car since March (Use 1)
    I've been waiting for you to come (but now you're back!) (Use 2)
Questions:

Auxiliary verb + Subject + Auxiliary verb + Verb + ing
has/have I/a dog/ a man etc. been swimming etc.
    Examples Use
    Have you been running? (Use 2)
    Has Tom been walking the dog? (Use 2)
    How long have you been learning English? (Use 1)
    Q: What have you been doing there?
    A: I've been eating
    (Use 1 or Use 2)

 

Negative sentences:
Subject + Auxiliary verb + not + Auxiliary verb + Verb + ing
I/a dog, a woman, etc. hasn't / haven't been swimming, going etc.
    Examples Use
    I haven't been sleeping very well recently (Use 1)
    I haven't been waiting for 50 minutes (Use 2)
    John hasn't been using his A drive for a long time (Use 1)

Check your understanding!