Here's a breakdown:
Structure:
* Subject + have/has + been + verb-ing
Example:
* I have been working on this project for hours.
Key Features:
* Duration: The action started in the past and continues to the present.
* Emphasis: The focus is on the ongoing nature of the action.
* "Have/has been": These auxiliary verbs signal the present perfect progressive tense.
Common uses:
* Ongoing actions: "She has been studying for the exam all week."
* Recent actions: "They have been talking about their plans for the weekend."
* Repeated actions: "We have been seeing that movie every week."
Examples:
* She has been learning Spanish for two years. (Ongoing action)
* I have been feeling under the weather lately. (Recent action)
* The team has been practicing hard for the competition. (Repeated action)
Note:
The present perfect progressive can also be used to express annoyance or complaint about something that has been happening for too long:
* "You have been making so much noise all day!" (Complaint)
In short, the present perfect progressive tense helps you describe actions that are in progress and have been happening for some time, whether recent or ongoing.