Grammar Lessons

Present Perfect Continuous

Ongoing Efforts & What's Been Keeping You Busy

For actions that started in the past, have been going on, and still feel relevant now. The emphasis is on the duration, the process, or the visible result — not the completed achievement.

Upper Intermediate · B2 Lesson ready

Grammar Focus

Process and duration — not just result.

Structure

Subject + have/has been + verb-ing

+ I/You/We/They have been + verb-ing — "I've been working on this for months."

+ He/She has been + verb-ing — "She's been building up her confidence."

− Subject + haven't/hasn't been + verb-ing — "I haven't been sleeping well lately."

? How long have/has + subject + been + verb-ing? — "How long have you been looking into this?"

Perfect Simple vs. Continuous

Present Perfect Simple

Focus on the completed result or achievement.

"I've written the report." (it's done)

Present Perfect Continuous

Focus on the process, duration, or ongoing effort.

"I've been writing the report all morning." (still in progress)

Vocabulary in Context

Six phrasal verbs for ongoing work, effort, and process. Each example uses the present perfect continuous.

work on

Meaning

To spend time developing, improving, or producing something.

Example

"I've been working on my communication skills for the past year — it's made a real difference."

Conversation questions

What have you been working on most in your personal or professional life recently?
Is there a skill you've been working on for a long time but haven't mastered yet?

look into

Meaning

To investigate or research something in order to find out more.

Example

"I've been looking into different options — I haven't made a decision yet."

Conversation questions

Have you been looking into anything new recently — a topic, a decision, an opportunity?
Is there something you think deserves to be looked into more carefully in your field or industry?

build up

Meaning

To gradually increase, develop, or strengthen something over time.

Example

"She's been building up her savings for two years — she's nearly ready to go."

Conversation questions

What have you been building up over the past year — confidence, savings, a network?
Is there something that has been building up in your life — stress, excitement, tension — that you need to address?

put off

Meaning

To delay doing something — often because it feels difficult, boring, or daunting.

Example

"I've been putting off that conversation for weeks — I know I need to just do it."

Conversation questions

What have you been putting off lately? What's stopping you?
Do you tend to put things off, or are you good at dealing with difficult tasks straight away?

catch up on

Meaning

To do things you haven't had time for; to return to a normal level after falling behind.

Example

"I've been catching up on emails all morning — the inbox just keeps growing."

Conversation questions

What have you been catching up on lately — work, rest, relationships?
Do you find it stressful to fall behind? How do you catch up without burning out?

think through

Meaning

To consider all aspects of something carefully before making a decision.

Example

"I've been thinking through the decision for a while — I want to make sure I'm not missing anything."

Conversation questions

Is there a decision you've been thinking through for a long time? What's making it difficult?
Do you tend to think things through thoroughly, or do you prefer to act and adjust as you go?

Conversation Practice

Questions grouped by theme — all using the present perfect continuous. Use for (duration) and since (starting point) where appropriate.

Current Projects & Focus

What have you been spending most of your energy on recently?
Have you been working on any long-term goal? How long have you been at it?
Is there anything you've been putting off that you know you should deal with?

Health, Habits & Wellbeing

Have you been sleeping well lately? Has anything been affecting your rest?
Have you been looking after yourself properly — eating, exercising, resting?
Is there a habit you've been trying to build or break? How long have you been at it?

Learning & Growth

What have you been learning or studying recently — formally or informally?
Have you been thinking through any big changes — in your career, relationships, or lifestyle?
How long have you been learning English, and what have you been doing to improve the most?