3-19. Perfect Progressive Tenses

Present Perfect Continuous/Progressive представляет собой «комбинацию» из продолженного и совершенного грамматических времен и выражает действия, которые продолжались как-то время и с точки зрения говорящего логически связаны с настоящим. Может описываться действие, которое a) закончилось перед самым моментом речи, b) закончилось в момент речи (или сразу после него) или c) продолжается далее:

It has been raining, but it has stopped now.
I've been working for six hours and now I'll stop.
We've been learning this language for ten years (and are still learning it).

Несколько примеров употребления:

I don't feel like going out this evening. I've been working in the garden all day.
The children have been playing tennis. That's why they're so hot.
Please excuse my dirty clothes. I've been cleaning out the cellar.
Be careful! John has been painting the door.
We have been building a garage on to the house.
Hi! What have you been doing with yourself? – I've been trying to write a novel.
That kid has been watching TV non-stop since breakfast.
Have you been working in the garden all day? You look exhausted.
She's been writing the book since she was in her twenties and at last it's finished.
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.

Во всех примерах говорящий выражает связь между длительным действием и настоящим моментом времени.

Это грамматическое время может выражать и «серийные» действия:

People have been phoning me all day.
I've been waking up in the night a lot. I think I'll see the doctor.

■ Present Perfect Continuous часто употребляется с обстоятельствами, выражающими период времени, включающий и настоящий момент (recently, lately, this week, since… , for… и т.п.):

The firm has been losing money recently/lately.
John's been walking in Scotland all this week.
I've been doing a new job since January.
It's been raining for the last three days.

■ Present Perfect Continuous (как и Present Perfect) не употребляется с обстоятельствами, выражающими прошедшие периоды времени (это грамматически настоящее время). В таких случаях можно употреблять, например, Past Continuous:

You look tired. - Yes. I was cycling from midday until five o'clock.
(неправильно: ‘I've been cycling from midday until five o'clock ’.)

■ Present Perfect Continuous, как правило, не употребляется с глаголами состояния (это грамматически продолженное время). В таких случаях лучше употреблять Present Perfect:

Have you known each other long? (неправильно: ‘Have you been knowing... ’)
I haven't liked ice cream since I ate too much and was sick (неправильно: ‘I haven't been liking... ’)
John's been ill all week (неправильно: ‘John's been being ill ... ’)
She's had a cold since Monday (неправильно: ‘She's been having a cold ... ’)
I've only known her for two days (неправильно: ‘I've only been knowing her ...’ )