Present Perfect Continuous
Lesson 4 of 5 · ~6 minutes

Lesson 4 · Present Perfect Continuous

know, want, like

know, want, like

For actions like waiting, painting or cooking, how long it has been going on is have been waiting. Verbs of state — know, understand, have (= own) — don't take -ing, and like, want, need usually don't either: I have known Tom for two years, not I have been knowing.

Word

know / understand
want / like / need
have (= own)

How to say it

I have known Tom for two years
I have wanted this bag for months
I have had this bike for a year
Word
How to say it
know / understand
I have known Tom for two years
want / like / need
I have wanted this bag for months
have (= own)
I have had this bike for a year

I have known Tom for two years.

How long have you known Anna?

I have wanted this bag for months.

I have had this bike for a year.

Where people usually slip

Verbs like know, want, like describe a state, not an action, so they usually don't take -ing.

Not I have been knowing Tom, but I have known Tom.

The usual form is I have wanted this bag. With want and need you'll sometimes hear -ing in conversation (I've been wanting to tell you), but never with know.

Not I have been having this bike, but I have had this bike.

How long + know → How long have you known, not been knowing. How long + wait (an action) → How long have you been waiting.

  • knowingI have known Tom for two years.
  • wanting / likingI have wanted this bag for months.
  • owningI have had this bike for a year.
  • waiting — -ingHow long have you been waiting? / How long have you known Anna?
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