Look at these examples to see how the present perfect simple and continuous are used.
We've painted the bathroom.
She's been training for a half-marathon.
I've had three coffees already today!
They've been waiting for hours.
Try this exercise to test your grammar.
Read the explanation to learn more.
Grammar explanation
We use both the present perfect simple (have or has + past participle) and the present perfect continuous (have or has + been + -ing form) to talk about past actions or states which are still connected to the present.
Focusing on result or activity
The present perfect simple usually focuses on the result of the activity in some way, and the present perfect continuous usually focuses on the activity itself in some way.
| Present perfect simple | Present perfect continuous |
| Focuses on the result | Focuses on the activity |
| You've cleaned the bathroom! It looks lovely! | I've been gardening. It's so nice out there. |
| Says 'how many' | Says 'how long' |
| She's read ten books this summer. | She's been reading that book all day. |
| Describes a completed action | Describes an activity which may continue |
| I've written you an email. | I've been writing emails. |
| When we can see evidence of recent activity | |
| The grass looks wet. Has it been raining? I know, I'm really red. I've been running! |
Ongoing states and actions
We often use for, since and how long with the present perfect simple to talk about ongoing states.
How long have you known each other?
We've known each other since we were at school.
We often use for, since and how long with the present perfect continuous to talk about ongoing single or repeated actions.
How long have they been playing tennis?
They've been playing tennis for an hour.
They've been playing tennis every Sunday for years.
Sometimes the present perfect continuous can emphasise that a situation is temporary.
I usually go to the gym on the High Street, but it's closed for repairs at the moment so I've been going to the one in the shopping centre.
Do this exercise to test your grammar again.
Hello Jonathan,
Thank you very much for all your helpful explanations! They really clarify the use of one tense or the other in each case.
Have a nice day
Hi, I have a question. I have read an explanation that perfect continuous and present perfect can be used interchangeably when it comes to "how long" question when using certain verb (which I am not very sure what are they).
Example of sentence that can be used interchangeably according to the grammar book I've read:
1. How long have you been sleeping in this room?
2. How long have you slept in this room?
My questions are:
1. Are they really interchangeably? If yes, what are the verb that is appropriate to use in that sentence formula?
2. How to answer those questions? Should I answer it using present perfect only, present continuous only, or adjust it with the tense used in the question?
Sorry if my writing is a bit hard to understand. I am not the english native
Hello PN,
Both the simple and continuous are possible here but I wouldn't say there is no difference in meaning. The simple form clearly refers to a habitual action in this context (How long has this room been the place where you sleep?) whereas the continuous form could have that meaning but could also refer to a single action, as if the speaker has just woken up the other person.
In answer to your second question, you would answer using the same form as in the question.
I hope that clarifies it for you.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello Team. Could you please help me? Can we use "always" with present perfect continuous or with present Perfect simple? Which form is correct in the following sentence? Why?
- Dr. John is funny. He ( has always come - has always been coming) to his clinic by scooter.
Thank you.
Hello Ahmed Imam,
I can't think of a time when it would be appropriate to use 'always' with a present perfect continuous verb. Perhaps it's possible on some rare occasion, but as far as I know, we never say 'always' with a present perfect continuous verb.
With a present perfect simple form, however, it's quite common ('She's always like sci-fi films' or 'They've always lived in Cairo'). So of course the first of the two options is the correct one in the sentence you ask about.
All the best,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello. Could you please help me choose the correct answer? Why?
- We (have lived - have been living) here for 6 years now and we don’t intend to move.
Thank you.
Hi Ahmed Imam,
Both options are grammatically fine. We might prefer the simple version if we consider "we don't intend to move" as the result of the action "lived here for 6 years", or the continuous one if the focus is on how long the action has been going on.
Jonathan
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello. Could you please help me? What's wrong with the following sentence?
- Tom is the most intelligent child I have lately seen.
Thank you.
Hello Ahmed Imam,
I don't think the sentence is incorrect but the normal position for the adverb 'lately' is after the verb phrase rather than before the main verb.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello. Could you please help me? Can I say, “I haven’t done this since a long time ago.”
Thank you.