The present perfect continuous is a present tense. It is used to talk about the situation now of a long action that started in the past. It doesn’t talk about the past.
- The gardener has been cutting the grass.
(started in the past/cutting the grass – long action/situation now/still cutting)
It can also be used to talk about a long action that has only just finished.
- Edyta has been baking bread.
(started in the past/baking bread – long action/just finished/bread is ready to eat)
The present perfect tense is formed subject + has been/have been + present participle.
- I have been working here for many years.
(subject/I + have been + present participle/working)
The negative is formed subject + has not been/have not been (hasn’t been/haven’t been) + present participle.
- He hasn’t been working here for many years.
(subject/He + hasn’t been + present participle/working)
The question is formed question word + has/have + subject + been + past participle.
- How have I been taking the wrong path?
(question word/how + have + subject/I + been + present participle/taking)
For yes/no questions it is formed using have/has + subject + been + past participle.
- Have I been taking the wrong path?
(have + subject/I + been + present participle/taking)
Common mistakes with tenses.
