PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE & PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

Choosing between Present Perfect Simple and Present Perfect Continuous often causes students some problems because we can use both of these tenses for finished and unfinished actions.

In A Nutshell

The Present Perfect Simple can be used to talk about unfinished actions that started in the past and are still true in the present.  It's often used with state verbs:

I've known Mike for ten years.


The Present Perfect Continuous can also be used to talk about unfinished actions that started in the past and are still true in the present, but rarely do we use it with state verbs.  Instead, we use active verbs.

I've been living here for two years.

Sometimes there's very little different in meaning between the two tenses, especially with verbs such as live, work, and study.

Sometimes there is a difference in meaning.

* PPC can be used to emphasise the length of time that has passed: I've been waiting here for hours!
* PPS is often used when we're talking about how much or how many: She's written three emails this morning.
* PPC often focuses on the action, while PPS focuses on the fact that the action is completed: I've been watching that TV show you suggested.  I've watched the TV you suggested.  In the first example it is unfinished, whereas in the second example it is finished.
* PPC can be used to emphasise that something is temporary: She's been studying a lot lately.

Here are a couple of links to some exercises - have fun! :)

Exercise 1

Exercise 2