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Should I write 'I have been reading a book now' or 'I am reading a book now'? I started to read one week ago and I haven't ended yet. Thanks for help

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  • if you started something in the past and have not completed the process/activity yet, Present Perfect Continuous is used. Simply say: I have been reading a book.
    – Usernew
    Oct 5, 2015 at 14:18

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It depends on what exactly you want to say, of course.

In most cases the present perfect continuous has an associated length of time of the action.

I have been reading a book now for a week.

The present continuous only conveys the fact that you're currently engaged in some activity. If you don't care to relate how long ago it started, use present continuous. For instance, you want to say that the book is about some topic you just touched in the conversation:

I am reading a book now on this exact subject.

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  • 'I have read about ten books in English so far, which were Agatha Christie’s criminals, and I have been reading the eleventh now. ' that is what I would like to write but I'm not sure if it's correct
    – coffeewithcardamom
    Oct 5, 2015 at 19:51
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    Say, "I have read ten (why "about" if you know exactly?) books in English so far, all were Agatha Christie's detective stories, and I am reading the eleventh now".
    – Victor Bazarov
    Oct 5, 2015 at 20:11

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