THE PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE OR THE PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS?

A The Present Perfect Simple is used when the present result, not the activity itself, is important. The
emphasis is on completion.
The Present Perfect Continuous is used when the activity is important. It does not matter if the
action has been completed or not.

Tom has walked all the way home from work. That’s why he is very tired.
Tom has been walking for hours. Although he is very tired, he’s still walking.

I’ve been looking for my wallet all day.

Have you looked in all your pockets?

Who has eaten my chips? There are none left.

Who has been eating my chips? Soon I’ll have none left.

B Both tenses are used for activities that began in the past and continue to the present.
The Present Perfect Simple is used to describe how much, how many or how many times something
has been done.
The Present Perfect Continuous is used to describe how long something has been happening.

How long has she been reading? – She’s been reading since she came home.
How much has she read? – She’s read half the book.

I’ve been typing letters all morning. – I’ve typed four letters so far this morning.
How long have you been having – How many driving lessons have you had?
driving lessons?

C Both tenses are used when the exact time in the past is not mentioned. When the Present Perfect
Simple is used, the unstated time could be any time in the past, even long ago.
When the Present Perfect Continuous is used, the unstated time is very recent.

I’ve read that book. (unstated time, maybe even long ago)
I’ve been reading that book. (has been happening recently)

D Non-continuous verbs are not used in Present Perfect Continuous. (know, believe, see, like, love,
want, taste, understand etc.)

I’ve known her since 1985. (Not: I’ve been knowing her since 1985.)

E We use the Present Perfect Continuous for situations which are more temporary (continuing for a
short time.)

He’s been living there for just a few weeks. I’ve been working very hard recently.

We use the Present Perfect Simple for situations which are more permanent (continuing for a longer
time.)

He’s always lived there. You’ve worked hard all your life.

F Sometimes there is no difference in meaning between the two forms with the verbs like live,
work, etc.

I’ve been living / I’ve lived in this flat for ten years.
 How long has she been working / has she worked for the company?

 Both the Present Perfect and the Present Perfect Continuous are used with the following time
expressions.

 how long How long have you known Jack?

How long have you been learning English?

How long can also be used with the Past Simple, but only when the action occurred and was
completed in the past.

How long have you been running? I’ve been running for over an
hour and I don’t feel tired.
How long did you run yesterday? I ran for almost two hours.

 for (duration) I’ve known Jack for five years.

I have not seen Emily for a long time.
She has been working here for twenty years.

For can be used with the Past Simple as well as with the Present Perfect and the Present Perfect
Continuous.
Ken has worked / has been working here for five years. (and is still
working here)
Ken worked here for five years. (and now works somewhere else)

 since (starting point) They have been married since last April.
We have been living here since 1980.
I have not talked to Ann since last Sunday.

 lately/recently Have you been to the cinema lately/recently?

She has been going out a lot lately/recently.