Ongoing Actions Starting in Past

Using Present Perfect Continuous for Ongoing Actions:

• Structure: Subject + has/have been + present participle (verb-ing).
  • Example: She has been studying English for three years.

Describing Ongoing Actions Starting in the Past:

1. Long-term Projects: I have been working on this report for two weeks.
2. Habitual Actions Over Time: They have been jogging every morning for a month.
3. Extended Periods of Change or Development: He has been learning to play the piano since childhood.

Discussing Ongoing Actions

• Emphasizing Duration: She has been teaching at the school for over a decade.
• Highlighting Continuity: We have been experiencing technical issues since last month.
• Expressing Persistent Situations: He has been feeling unwell for the past few days.
• Referring to Unfinished Actions: I have been reading that book you lent me.

Common Mistakes When Using Present Perfect Continuous

• Confusing with Simple Past Tense:
  • 🚫 Wrong: I read this book since January.
  • ✅ Right: I have been reading this book since January.
• Using Incorrect Verb Form:
  • 🚫 Wrong: They have been play football for three hours.
  • ✅ Right: They have been playing football for three hours.
• Forgetting the 'Been' in the Structure:
  • 🚫 Wrong: She has studying English for three years.
  • ✅ Right: She has been studying English for three years.
• Misusing for Completed Actions:
  • 🚫 Wrong: I have been finished the project.
  • ✅ Right: I have finished the project. (Use present perfect for completed actions)
• Overusing for Short, Instant Actions:
  • 🚫 Wrong: He has been slipping on the ice.
  • ✅ Right: He slipped on the ice. (Use simple past for instant actions)