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:
She hasn't been maintaining the accounts on behalf of the shareholders.
We've been spending the last several months building up adequate stock.
Real estate has been plunging steadily for the last year.
Positive Form:
Subject + have + been + 'ing' form of verb + (object(s)) + since / for + time expression
The globalization of this bank has been going on for three years.
Negative Form:
Subject + have + not + been + 'ing' form of verb + (object(s)) + since / for + time expression
The client hasn't been willing to discuss earnest money all week.
Question Form:
(Question Word) + have + subject + been + 'ing' form of verb?
How long have we been using paper invoicing?
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 working on the appraisal since six this morning. That's why you have it already.
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:
Our bank has used this warehouse for three years.
How long has it taken the loan officer to review your letter of credit?
Example of Present Perfect Continuous:
The non-taxable income hasn't improved at all over the last fiscal year.
He hasn't been spending the earnest money this month.
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:
I've prepared three documents to transfer power of attorney this week.
We have greatly diversified your portfolio.