What Does “Have Been Doing Something” Mean?
The phrase have been doing something is part of the present perfect continuous tense in English.
It describes an action that started in the past and is either still happening now or has just recently stopped,
often with visible results or relevance to the present.
Structure
The basic structure is:
- Affirmative: Subject + have/has + been + verb-ing
Example: I have been studying for two hours. - Negative: Subject + have/has + not + been + verb-ing
Example: She hasn’t been feeling well lately. - Question: Have/Has + subject + been + verb-ing?
Example: Have you been working all day?
Common Uses
- To emphasize the duration of an ongoing activity.
- To explain a current result (e.g., “I’m tired because I’ve been running.”)
- For actions that are temporary or recent.
Examples in Context
- They have been waiting for the bus since 8 a.m.
- Why are your eyes red? — I have been crying.
- He has been practicing piano every day this week.
Tips
- Use for or since to specify duration.
- Not all verbs can be used in continuous form (e.g., “know,” “belong”).
- Often interchangeable with present perfect simple, but with a focus on the ongoing nature of the action.