Present Perfect Continuous

The present perfect continuous expresses an action that recently stopped or is still going on. It puts emphasis on the duration or course of the action.

Use of Present Perfect Progressive

• puts emphasis on the duration or course of an action (not the result)

  Example: She has been writing for two hours.

NOT: She has been writing 3 letters for 2 hours. USE: I have written 3 letters for 2 hours.

• action that recently stopped or is still going on

  Example: I have been living here since 2001.

• finished action that influenced the present

  Example: I am tired right now because I have been working all afternoon.

Signal Words of Present Perfect Progressive

• all day, for 4 years, since 1993, how long?, the whole week