Present Perfect Continuous The present perfect continuous is used to express how long a current activity has been going on. It is often used in context to provide a reason for a present result. Remember that continuous forms can only be used with action verbs.  This tense is often used with the following time expressions: since + specific point in time for + amount of time Basic Construction Positive Subject + has / have + been + verb + ing + object(s) + time expression Example He's been cleaning house for two hours. Negative Subject + has / have not (hasn't / haven't) + been + verb + ing + object(s) + time expression Example Janice hasn't been studying for too long. Question (Question Word) + has / have + subject + been + verb + ing + object(s) + (time expression) Example How long have you been working in the garden?

English grammar | Present Perfect The present perfect is used to say what has happened recently and has an effect on the present moment. We often use 'just', 'yet' and 'already' to express the relationship to the present moment. Examples Have you seen Mary yet? They've already had dinner. She's just been to the dentist's. The present perfect is also used to express something which has happened up to the present moment of time. Examples Have you worked here for a long time? Peter's lived here since 1987. She hasn't had much fun this week. Positive Form Subject + have + past participle + object(s) Examples Peter's lived here since 1987. We've been very busy today. Negative Form Subject + have + not + past participle + object(s) Examples I haven't been to class very often this month. She hasn't had much fun this week. Question Form (Wh?) + have + subject + past participle? Examples

Past Perfect Simple They had lived in New York for 3 years before they moved to Seattle. (up to the time they moved to Seattle) Past Perfect Continuous She had been studying for 4 hours when he arrived. (The four hours directly before he arrived) Now, let's take a look at the specific differences between the two forms: Past Perfect Simple is used to express finished activity before a specific point of time in the past. Example: He had already eaten when his wife came home. Past Perfect Continuous is used to express continuous/progressive activity up to a specific point of time in the past. Example: They had been waiting for 2 hours before their friends finally arrived.