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’ve been travelling across Europe all Summer to show that summer and my trip has just ended and
Can it also mean I’m still travelling and it’s still summer?
Hello Khangvo2812,
It could mean that the traveling is finished or it could mean that it's ongoing.
What exactly someone would understand this to mean would depend on the situation and the listener's perspective.
Best wishes,
Kirk
LearnEnglish team
Could you tell me whether It’s the first time I have travelled to Da Nang means I’m still there?
Hi Khangvo2812,
Yes, it does. "It's" is the present simple, showing that it is still true or still happening now. However, it may be more common to say it like this: This is the first time I've been to / I've come to Da Nang.
Jonathan
LearnEnglish team
Should I say last month was the first time that I had travelled to Ha Noi, or last month was the first time that I uave travelled to Ha Noi?
Hi Khangvo2812,
Different tenses are possible. It depends on the context.
I hope that helps.
Jonathan
LearnEnglish team
Hello,
Could you please help me with these sentenses
"I'm glad that our friendship has been lasting since the first grade"
"I'm glad that our friendship has lasted since the first grade."
Wich one is correct? Or both of them are?
Hello .Mariia,
'has been lasting' is awkward and I wouldn't recommend using it. I think this has more to do with the nature of the verb 'last', which is stative use here because it's measuring time.
Although it's true that the friendship is still ongoing and so perhaps one would be tempted to use a continuous form, this statement seems to be more about the friendship as a whole. This is another reason why the simple form is the correct one here.
Best wishes,
Kirk
LearnEnglish team
Good morning teachers.
I have a question. How I differentiate between them in blank questions? For example:
They ________ already _________ the results of elections. (Discuss).
Another question what is the ultimate guide for tenses time expressions?