Present Perfect Continuous Tense

We use the Present Perfect Continuous Tense to talk about an action that started in the past, and continues until now. In most cases, we expect it to continue in the future.


       #--------------------
       |
<------+-----------------now------->
       |
       #-------------------- 
        /
    waiting

I have been waiting for 15 minutes.

I started waiting 15 minutes ago. I am still waiting now.

She has been learning the piano for 5 years.

She started learning the piano 5 years ago. She is still learning the piano now. She will probably continue to learn the piano.

We can’t use the Present Perfect Continuous Tense for non-continuous verbs. Use the Present Perfect instead.

Making the Present Perfect Continuous Tense

+ I have been waiting for 15 minutes. s=‘I’ + have/has + been + ving=‘waiting’

- I haven’t been waiting for 15 minutes. s=‘I’ + have/has + not + been + ving=‘waiting’

? Have you been waiting for 15 minutes?have/has + s=‘you’ + been + ving=‘waiting’

For most verbs we add -ing to the end, but some have special spelling rules. Spelling rules for -ing verbs

Pronunciation

I have been waiting for 15 minutes.

I haven’t been waiting for 15 minutes.

Have you been waiting for 15 minutes?