When do we use present perfect continuous?
We use this form to measure duration of a present action or to specify when it began
I have been learning English since I arrived in London.
We have been flying for 9 hours now.
When describing when something began or duration we include the prepositions ‘for’ or ‘since’.
When do we use present perfect simple?
Like present perfect continuous, we can use present perfect simple in conjunction with for and since.
He has fought for civil rights for all his life.
Since last week e have tried to go do the laundry.
we sometimes use the perfect simple to emphasise that something is long term
I have taught English for years. (long term)
She has been speaking well. (short term)
Present continuous also suggests that something is more repetitive than when we use present perfect simple
The students have recently been practising for their IELTS (repetitive)
They have tried group classes (maybe once or twice)
Other examples
Present perfect continuous
to describe an activity that recently stopped
Someone has been knocking at the door, I have no idea what they wanted. (they were knocking the door recently
)
Someone has been smoking in this room! (it still smells of smoke)
Present perfect simple
with adverbs –
Have you cleaned your room already?
I have just arrived in the office!
more distant past than simple past suggests
The company has always believed in equal rights for their employees.
connected to present time period
You have been busy today. (still today)
It has been ‘one of those years’! (this year is ‘an interesting year’)
_____
So how about you?
What have you been doing recently?
What have your friends done recently?
Why would you chose to use present perfect simple?
Why might you use present perfect continuous?
_____
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