Present Perfect (have/has + past participle) Present Perfect Continuous (have/has + been +

verb + ing)

We use the pp + for or since (actions that started in
the past and are still true now)
E.g.;
- They have known each other for ten years.
- She has had this bag since university.
We use the pp with non action verbs.
- The flowers have bloomed beautifully in the
garden.
- The cake has tasted delicious after hours of
preparation.
We use the ppc + for or since with action verbs
“learn, work…” (actions that started in the past and
are still true now)
- How long have you been learning English?
- I have been working here for 2 years.
We use ppc for repeated or continuous actions
which have been happening very recently. The actions
have usually just finished or have visibly present
results.
- Your eyes are red. Have you been crying?
- No, I’ve been chopping onions.
- You seem very tired. You’ve been working a
lot lately.

Exception:
Live and work are often used in either pp or ppc with the same meaning

- I’ve lived here since 2010

- I’ve been living here since 2010