Verb Tenses

Present Perfect Continuous.

General Structure Have

(he estado jugando) Been + Verb ING
Has

(+) (-) (?)

I I
You you
have been playing haven't been playing Have been playing... ?
We we
They they

He he
She has been playing hasn't been playing Has she been playing... ?
It it

General Uses.
- Actions started in the past that still continue or have recently stopped:
We have been waiting here for three hours. (We are still waiting)
Tom has been painting the room. (That is why his clothes are so dirty)

* Comparison with the Present Perfect Simple:

- When talking about actions started in the past that still continue, both tenses are possible, but
the Present Perfect Continuous is more frequently used to emphasise duration.
They have lived in this house for twenty years.
They have been living in this house for twenty years.

- The Present Perfect Simple is more frequently used with instant actions, while the Present
Perfect Continuous is more frequently used with long actions, or repeated actions.
Oh, no! I have broken the glass! (Instant action)
She has been talking on the phone since she arrived from work. (Long action)
Mike has been sneezing all day. (Repeated action)

- The Present Perfect Simple is often used when talking about finished or complete actions,
while the Present Perfect Continuous gives the idea that the action is not completed yet.
Joe has been writing his new book all morning. (Probably, he hasn't finished yet)
Joe has written three chapters of his new book. (The chapters are finished now)
We are tired because we have repaired the car. (Completed action)
We are tired because we have been repairing the car. (Probably not completed)