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:
We've been discussing who is to be held responsible for this for an hour.
Our personnel costs have been declining for the entire year.
I've been dealing in stock for over thirty years. That's why I'm such a success today.
Positive Form:
Subject + have + been + 'ing' form of verb + (object(s)) + since / for + time expression
I've been typing a note for all bank workers about the provision of uniforms since nine this morning.
Negative Form:
Subject + have + not + been + 'ing' form of verb + (object(s)) + since / for + time expression
He hasn't been spending the earnest money this month.
Question Form:
(Question Word) + have + subject + been + 'ing' form of verb?
How long have your net assets been dwindling?
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.
I've been working on the appraisal since six this morning. That's why you have it already.
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 company hasn't had any account activity.
She has been in charge of controlling personnel costs for the past year.
Example of Present Perfect Continuous:
I've been writing a promissory note to pay a definite sum of money to the payee since two this afternoon.
She hasn't been maintaining the accounts on behalf of the shareholders.
When emphasizing the duration of the current action, use the present perfect continuous.
Example:
We've been discussing who is to be held responsible for this for an hour.
They have been calculating the currency convertibility in the meeting.
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.
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