Happening up to This Moment
Present Perfect Continuous
The present perfect continuous places the emphasis on the duration of a current activity. It is used to express either when an action in progress began, or the length of an action in progress. The present perfect continuous is never used with stative verbs.
Example:
They've been talking about convertibility of funds ever since dawn.
The client hasn't been willing to discuss earnest money all week.
European nations have been working towards globalization for at least 5 years.
Positive Form:
Subject + have + been + 'ing' form of verb + (object(s)) + since / for + time expression
I have been investigating allegations of abuses in the bank's adjustable-rate mortgage.
Negative Form:
Subject + have + not + been + 'ing' form of verb + (object(s)) + since / for + time expression
The non-taxable income hasn't improved at all over the last fiscal year.
Question Form:
(Question Word) + have + subject + been + 'ing' form of verb?
How long has the deferred interested been acquiring?
Examples of What Caused Something
The present perfect continuous is often used to express the action that caused a present result.
Example:
I've been dealing in stock for over thirty years. That's why I'm such a success today.
We've been spending the last several months building up adequate stock.
Present Perfect Contrasted with Present Perfect Continuous
The present perfect and present perfect continuous are both used to express the duration of an activity that begins in the past and continues into the present. Either form is used with general activities, although the use of the present perfect continuous can indicate that an activity is about to change. The present perfect continuous describes the duration of a current activity and tends to be used with more specific action verbs.
Example of Present Perfect:
How long has it taken the loan officer to review your letter of credit?
We have greatly diversified your portfolio.
Example of Present Perfect Continuous:
How long has the deferred interested been acquiring?
That company has been using electronic banking for three years with success.
When emphasizing the duration of the current action, use the present perfect continuous.
Example:
They've been arguing about the limited liability company for two hours.
We've been discussing who is to be held responsible for this for an hour.
The present perfect continuous conveys the length of an activity, whereas the present perfect can also be used to relate the quantity, or amount finished up to the present moment in time.
Example:
The cash cow product has done well considering the economy.
I've prepared three documents to transfer power of attorney this week.