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:
The tech told us that the convertibility upgrades have been ongoing since last spring.
We've been spending the last several months building up adequate stock.
How long has the telephone company been issuing a combined statement?
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
The agent hasn't been acting on behalf of his clients in their best interest.
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:
We have been working overtime for the past week so your house appraisal is finally complete.
I've been dealing in stock for over thirty years. That's why I'm such a success today.
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.
I have used a debit card since the cards first became popular.
Example of Present Perfect Continuous:
How long has the telephone company been issuing a combined statement?
Real estate has been plunging steadily for the last year.
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've been arguing about the limited liability company for two hours.
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 finally identified a cash cow product.
We have greatly diversified your portfolio.