The present perfect progressive tense

Uses of the present perfect progressive tense

We use the present perfect progressive to talk about situations which started in the past and are still going on, or which have just stopped and have present results.

• I have been reading since morning.
• We have been waiting for ages.
• ‘You look exhausted.’ ‘Yes, I have been running. ’

We cannot use the present perfect progressive with expressions that refer to a finished period of time.

present progressive and present perfect progressive: differences

Both the present perfect progressive and present progressive can be used to talk about situations which started in the past and are still going on. The difference is that the present perfect progressive has an ‘up to now’ focus. It is common when we are talking about how long a situation has lasted.

• It is raining again.
• It has been raining since Christmas. (NOT It is raining since Christmas.)
• I am learning English.
• I have been learning English for two years. (NOT I am learning English for two years.)

present perfect and present perfect progressive: differences

Both the present perfect and present perfect progressive can be used to talk about recent actions and situations that have present results. There is an important difference. The present perfect progressive focuses on the idea of continuity. The present perfect, on the other hand, looks more at the ideas of completion.

• I have been painting the house. (focus on continuous activity)
• I have painted two rooms since lunchtime.
• I have been reading your book. (focus on continuous activity)
• I have read your book. (focus on completion)

temporary and permanent

We prefer the present perfect progressive to talk about more temporary actions and situations; when we talk about longer-lasting or permanent situations we often use the present perfect.

• He has been standing at the gate all day.
• For 1000 years the castle has stood on the hill above the village.
• I have been living in Mumbai for the last month.
• My parents have lived in Chennai all their lives.