Present perfect simple and continuous
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.
can I say: I have been writing three letters? I have been writing many letters? I have been writing a lot of letters? many grammar books say that we do not use such sentences since they are related to how many. but I see sentences like: I have been writing many letters. I have been writing a lot of letters. used as this. I am confused. please clarify it for me. I would be grateful for you
Hello Anonymousxy,
Generally, when the action is complete we use simple forms. For example:
Similarly, I've been writing three letters implies that they are not finished.
You could use 'a lot of' or 'many' to express, for example, how you have been spending your time in a particular period, but you would need a clear context. For example:
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Thank you for your explanation. I’m still a little confused about the distinction.
You mentioned that the Present Perfect Simple is used for completed actions, while the Continuous focuses on an ongoing activity. However, grammar explanations often say that the Present Perfect Simple is used to say how many/how much, for example:
“I have read three books.” → How many books? Three.
Could you please clarify why “I have been reading a lot of books or three books” is possible if the Present Perfect Continuous is generally associated with the activity rather than how many/how much?
Is the distinction based on the quantity expression itself, or on the meaning and context?
Thank you.
Hello again Anonymousxy,
You are correct that the continuous form focuses on the activity rather than the result. However, this plays out in different ways in different contexts.
When used with a number or amount (hence giving the information how much/how many), the continuous form, as I said, implies that the action is not complete:
Sometimes you may wish to describe an activity without reference to its completion because you are interested in its effect, not its result. This is the second example I gave:
In this example it is the activity which matters and its effect (that you couldn't call), not the result (success or failure in the task, how many letters were finished etc).
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello Anonymousxy,
Generally, when the action is complete we use simple forms. For example:
Similarly, I've been writing three letters implies that they are not finished.
You could use 'a lot of' or 'many' to express, for example, how you have been spending your time in a particular period, but you would need a clear context. For example:
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
You ............. to our parties every year. It won’t feel like New Year’s without you!
Should I say have come or have been coming
Hello amroo,
Both forms are possible. However, since you are talking about a repeated and ongoing action up the present I think the continuous form (have been coming) is more common here.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello, there! Could you, please, explain why not 'Have you always been hating garlic'? We focus on the activity (hate). Is it an ongoing state?
Hello Safe_Mode,
This is very much a non-standard form, I would say. Generally, we don't use verbs relating to feelings and opinions with continuous aspect, and where they do occur it's usually done for effect - as a slogan such as McDonald's 'I'm loving it', for example.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello LearningEnglish team
I have some question for the following exapmle.
Has someone ___ my special bread? There's only a little bit left.
If I just want to emphasize the result that someone just ate my bread.
can I fill "eaten" as the answer to this question?