Present perfect continuous

How long? The ongoing past

• The present perfect continuous shows an action that started in the past and is still going (or just stopped).
• I have been waiting for an hour.
• It focuses on the activity and its duration.

I have been studying for hours; the kettle has been waiting just as long.

Form: have been + -ing

• have / has been + verb-ing.
• She has been studying. They have been working.
• Short forms: I've been …, she's been ….

for and since

• for + a length of time: for two hours.
• since + a starting point: since this morning.
• I have been living here for two years.

Continuous vs simple

• Continuous → the activity / duration: I've been reading (it may be continuing or have just stopped).
• Simple can focus on a completed result: I've read it. It can also describe a continuing state: I've known her for years.
• For a state meaning such as knowing a person, use I've known her, not I've been knowing her. Some verbs also have action meanings, so decide from the use rather than a permanent ban on the word.

Common mistakes

• If the wait began an hour ago and continues now, use I have been waiting for an hour. A duration does not always require the perfect: I waited for an hour yesterday is also correct.
• ❌ How long are you living here? → ✓ How long have you been living here?
• To say she completed her task, use She has finished. But been is not restricted to -ing: She has been busy describes a state, and The work has been finished is passive. Those are different patterns, not errors merely because been is present.

Grammar guidance checked 2026-10-19: British Council, perfect simple and continuous.