Present Perfect Progressive

Watch Video

For the present perfect progressive, use have or has + been + -ing verb.

Examples:    I have been studying English for 3 years.      He has been learning to drive for 1 month.

When to Use the Present Perfect Progressive

This tense emphasizes time. In most cases, you can use either the present perfect or the present perfect progressive and your meaning will be about the same.

Examples:    I have been studying English for 3 years.      I have studied English for 3 years.

Present Perfect Progressive: The speaker is emphasizing time. The speaker is definitely continuing to study English.
Present Perfect: The speaker is not as concerned with the length of time--the statement is more simple in that way. The speaker continues to study English, but also might stop at any time.

Overall: use the present perfect progressive when time is important to your meaning. Particularly, use it when emphasizing both the past and the present--something that lasted or took a long time and may continue for a while.

Extra Tip: Americans often use the present perfect progressive to sound casual.
I've been studying English sounds more casual than I have studied English.

Let's compare a little more.

Example	I was living at home during that time.	I have lived at home for several years.	I have been living at home since I graduated.
Meaning	past with some emphasis on time	statement about living at home--neutral	statement about living at home that emphasizes past and present time--the speaker is either proud of this or wanting to move
Example	I was working at Microsoft before I got married.	I have worked at Microsoft previously.	I have been working at Microsoft for years.
Meaning	past with some emphasis on time	statement about the recent past or an accomplishment	past and present time is emphasized--the speaker is either emphasizing the accomplishment or is ready to find a new company
Example	I was working  on the project all morning.	I have worked on the project all morning.	I have been working on the project all morning.
Meaning	past with some emphasis on time--the speaker is done working	past and into the present--the speaker is still working	past and present time is emphasized--the speaker is still working

TAKE THE QUIZ

* www.speakmethod.com is a part of I.E. Tutoring, Seattle, WA, which holds the copyright to all materials. Subscribers may print images and pages for individual use, but not for commercial use or distribution. *