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Present Perfect Continuous

Present Perfect Continuous is a verb tense showing an action that started in the past and continues up to the present moment.

B1Tenses

Rule

The Present Perfect Continuous is a verb tense that shows an action that started in the past and continues up to the present moment.

Rule

    • has/have + been + -ing form of the verb, e.g. have been studying (the '-ing' form of a verb, like 'studying').

Usage

    • We use Present Perfect Continuous to talk about an action that started in the past and continues up to now.
    • It often shows an action that has a connection to the present.
    • It's useful for describing actions that are temporary or changing.

Examples

    • I have been learning English for three years.
    • They have been traveling around Europe since last summer.
    • She has been working on her project all day.
    • We have been waiting for 20 minutes.
    • He has been playing guitar since he was a teenager.
    • They have been studying for their exams all week.

Common Mistakes

    • Wrong: I am studying English for three years. Correct: I have been studying English for three years.
    • Wrong: They have traveled around Europe since last summer. Correct: They have been traveling around Europe since last summer.
    • Wrong: She works on her project all day. Correct: She has been working on her project all day.

Tip

To help you remember, think of Present Perfect Continuous like a bridge between past and present: it connects an action that started in the past to the current moment.

Quick check
Which sentence correctly uses the present perfect continuous tense?

Where this matters in your exam

Present Perfect Continuous is often used in IELTS Writing and Speaking tasks to discuss ongoing actions or trends.

  • Writing Task 2

    Use Present Perfect Continuous to describe an action that started in the past and continues up to the present.