Present Perfect + Present Perfect Continuous

present perfect: have/has + V3/ed

time expressions: yet, since, just, already, for, since

something that happened in a past with a result in a present (no specific time)

to talk about our experiences up to now (time is not important, we highlight the fact of an experience)

I’ve been to London. (When? We don’t know, but it’s a part of the past experience)

We often use ever, not … ever and never when we talk about experiences:

It was the worst performance we have everseen.

Have you ever tried to write your name and address with your left hand?

She’s never said sorry for what she did.

We often use the present perfect simple for a unique experience when we are using a superlative:

I felt the happiest I have ever felt. My first Olympic final; the bronze medal; European record of 9.97 seconds.

The dome of the Blue Mosque in Isfahan is the most beautiful building I have ever seen.

It was the best decision I have ever made in my life.

It’s the worst sports programme I have ever seen and the first I have ever turned off.

We usually use the present perfect simple with the first time when we’re talking about an immediate, continuing or recent event:

That’s the first time I’ve seen you get angry.

Present perfect continuous: form

We use have/has + been + the -ing form of the verb.

Recent past activities

We use the present perfect continuous to talk about a finished activity in the recent past. Using the present perfect continuous focuses on the activity.

We don’t give a specific time. Even though the activity is finished, we can see the result in the present:

I’ve just been cleaning the car. (The car is wet and clean.)

It’s been snowing. (The ground is covered in snow.)

What have you been buying?

One continuing event

We use the present perfect continuous for a single activity that began at a point in the past and is still continuing:

I’ve been reading your book – it’s great. (I’m still reading it.)

He’s been living in the village since 1995. (He is still living in the village.)

She has been writing her autobiography since 1987.

Repeated continuing events

We use the present perfect continuous to talk about repeated activities which started at a particular time in the past and are still continuing up until now:

I’ve been going to Spain on holiday every year since 1987.

I haven’t been eating much lunch lately. I’vebeen going to the gym at lunchtimes.

She’s been playing tennis on and off for three years.

How long …?

We often use the present perfect continuous to ask and answer questions about the We use the question How long …+ present perfect continuous:

A:

How long have you been waiting for me?

B:

About ten minutes. Not too long. (I’ve been waiting for about ten minutes.)