Page 478 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford

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actions and situations that have just stopped
We also use the present perfect progressive for actions and situations which have just stopped, but which have present results.
You Look hot. - Yes, I've been running.
Sorry I'm late. Have you been waiting long?
I must just go and wash. I've been gardening.
repeated actions
We can use the present perfect progressive for repeated as well as continuous activity.
People have been phoning me all day.
I've been waking up in the night a Lot. I think I'll see the doctor.
time expressions: recently, lately, this week, since ..., for ..., etc
We often use the present perfect progressive with words that refer to a period of time continuing up to now, like recently. lately, this week. since January. for the last three days.
The firm has been losing money recently. John's been waIking in Scotland all this week. I've been doing a new job since January.
It's been raining for the last three days.
For the difference between silrce and for. see 208.
not used with finished time expressions
We cannot use the present perfect progressive with expressions that refer to a finished period of time.
You look tired. '" Yes. 1 was cycling from midday until five o'clock. (NOT ••• {'tie been eycIingfrtJm l'I'titJdtty untiljiue tJ'el6eko)
how long?
We use the present perfect progressive, not the present progressive, to talk about how long something has been happening.
How long have you been studying English? (NOT HtJltJ Itmg are ytJu sttttlying . . . ?)
I've been working here for two months. (NOT Pm W6rkillg hereJy,y twfJ lIumths.)
For details. see 460.
present perfect progressive and (simple) present perfect
In some cases, we can also use the simple present perfect to talk about actions and situations continuing up to the present. Compare:
- How long have you been working with her?
How long have you known her?
- That man has been standing on the comer all day.
For 900 years the castle has stood on the hill above the village. For the differences. see 459.
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present perfect (4): progressive (or 'continuous') 458
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