PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

have/ has + been + -ing

statement

negative

I/ you/ we/ they have ('ve) been studying ... He/ she/ it has ('s) been running ...

I/ you/ we/ they have not (haven't) been studying ... He/ she/ it has not (hasn't) been running ...

question

Have I/ you/ we/ they been studying ... ? Has he/ she/ it been running ... ?

USE

example

Actions continuing up to now or just before now

We've been doing grammar exercises for over an hour. Can we have a break now? They're having a break because they've been working hard

helpful information

The present perfect continuous is often used with the following words:

I've been learning English for over three years. He's been learning Chinese since 2004. I've just been reading the new school newspaper.

for since just

SINCE or FOR

1996 Christmas last year I was a child Monday

He's been working here since 2010.

SINCE ... a point in time ( WHEN the time of the action started )

three hours a week 10 minutes a long time ages

FOR... a period of time ( HOW LONG something lasts )

He's been working here for 10 years..

watch out!

The present perfect simple often emphasises the result of an action: "She has written an article for the school newspaper" ( = she has finished it) The present perfect continuous often emphasises the action and the time spent on the action, rather than the result: "She has been writing an article for the school newspaper" ( = she has started, but she hasn't fiished it yet ) !!! You don't use the present perfect continuous when you mention quantities or distances: He has been running He has been running 10 kms

some practice

https://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/confusing_words/since_for.htmhttps://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/confusing_words/since_for2.htm