Present perfect and present perfect continuous tense

The present perfect continuous tense is used to talk about actions and situations that started in the past and have continued up to the present.

Form: Subject + has / have + been + -ing form of the verb

I have been gardening since morning.

It has been raining since yesterday.

The child has been sleeping for hours.

She has been knitting for hours.

The boys have been playing since morning.

We have been waiting for them since morning.

Difference between present perfect and present perfect continuous tenses

Both present perfect and present perfect continuous tenses can be used to talk about actions and events that started in the past and have continued up to the present.

We have lived in this city for ten years.

We have been living in this city for ten years.

I have worked with them for ten years.

I have been working with them for ten years.

The present perfect tense can be used to talk about finished events. The present perfect continuous tense cannot be used to talk about finished events.

Compare:

I have watered the plants. (I have finished that job. I am free now.)

I have been watering the plants. (= I am still watering the plants.)

As you can see the present perfect continuous tense cannot be used to talk about actions or situations that are still going on.