Different from the Present Perfect Simple, the present perfect continuous is employed when past actions are ongoing or have just concluded in relation to the present. The image below summarizes the two scenarios for using the present perfect continuous tense.
Image source: Present perfect simple and present perfect continuous - Test-English
Actions from the past till now
We use present perfect continuous to talk about situations that started in the past and have not finished or have just finished. And the action often produces some present results.
- Have you been crying? Your eyes are red.
- I am dirty because I‘ve been painting.
We can also use present perfect continuous to talk about repeated or continuous actions from the past till now.
- She’s been calling you for days. (repeated)
- I‘ve been studying since you left. (continuous)
To express duration
We can use present perfect continuous with some duration words (for, since, how long, lately, all day, etc) to talk about how long a situation has been happening.
- He’s been annoying us all evening.
- She’s been studying very hard for weeks.
- I haven’t been feeling well lately.
- How long have you been playing golf?
References