♦ The present perfect continuous is used to talk about something that happened in the past but is still happening in the present.

For example : I have been singing since last night.
—> I started singing last night, but I am still singing now.

♦ How to form the present perfect continuous :

– Affirmative form : Subject + auxiliary have/has been + present participle – ing
eg. I have been paying my bills for years.

– Negative form : Subject + auxiliary have/has been + not + present participle – ing
eg. I haven’t been paying my bills for years.

– Questions form : Auxiliary have/has (+not) + subject + been + present participle -ing
eg. Have I been paying my bills for years ? or Haven’t I been paying my bills for years ?

Present perfect continuous vs Present Perfect:

We use the present perfect continuous when the focus is on an activity that is unfinished.

Compare:
· I have been gardening since morning. (Focus on continuity)
· I have planted several new saplings. (Focus on completion)
· I have been reading since morning. (Focus on continuity)
· I have read two books since morning. (Focus on completion)

The present perfect continuous tense is used to talk about more temporary actions and situations; the present perfect tense is used to talk about longer-lasting or permanent situations.

· That boy has been standing at the gate for hours. (Temporary action or situa-tion)
· The temple has stood on the hill for hundreds of years. (Longer-lasting or permanent situation)