Study this example situation:
* – Is it raining?
– No, but the ground is wet.
– It has been raining.
Have/ has been – ing is the Present Perfect Continuous:
I/ we/ they/ you have (= I’ve etc.) been doing etc.
He/ she/ it has (= he’s etc.) been playing etc.
We use the Present Perfect Continuous for an activity that has recently stopped or just stopped. There is a connection with now:
* You’re out of breath. Have you been running? (you’re out of breath now)
* Paul is very tired. He’s been working very hard. (he’s tired now)
* Why are your clothes so dirty? What have you been doing?
* I’ve been talking to Carol about the problem and she thinks that…
Study this example situation:
* – It is raining now.
– It began raining two hours ago and it is still raining.
– Sorry, how long has it been raining?
– It has been raining for two hours.
We often use the present perfect continuous in this way, especially with “how long…”, “for…” and “since….”
The activity is still happening or has just stopped.
Some examples:
* How long have you been learning English? (you’re still learning English)
* Tim is still watching television. He’s been watching television all day.
* Where have you been? I’ve been looking for you for the last half hour.
* George hasn’t been feeling well recently.
You can use the Present Perfect Continuous for actions repeated over a period of time:
* Debbie is a very good tennis player. She’s been playing since she was eight.
* Every morning they meet in the same cafe. They’ve been going there for years.
Compare “I am doing” and “I have been doing”:
IOW (in other words) compare Present Continuous (PC) and Present Perfect Continuous (PPC):
PC: Don’t disturb me now. I’m working.
PPC: I’ve been working hard, so now I’m going to have a rest.
PC: We need an umbrella. It’s raining.
PPC: The ground is wet. It’s been raining.
PC: Hurry up! We’re waiting.
PPC: We’ve been waiting for an hour.
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