Present perfect simple vs continuous
I've written three emails or I've been writing emails all morning: the result or the activity.
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Both forms link the past with now. The present perfect simple (I've written) looks at the result: something is done, and we can say how much or how many. The present perfect continuous (I've been writing) looks at the activity: how we have spent the time, and for how long.
Simple: I've done | Continuous: I've been doing | |
|---|---|---|
Interest | the result, the finished thing | the activity itself |
Typical words | how many, how much, twice, already | how long, for, since, all day |
Finished? | usually yes (action verbs) | perhaps not |
The result or the activity
With the simple form, the action is complete and something is ready. With the continuous form, we only say what someone has been busy with. It may or may not be finished.
- I've sorted the invoices.
(They are all in order. The job is done.)
- I've been sorting invoices.
(That is why my desk is covered in paper. Perhaps there are more to do.)
- Dmitri has repaired the printer. You can use it now.
- Dmitri has been repairing the printer all afternoon, and it still doesn't work.
How much and how many: simple
When you say how many things are finished, or how many times something has happened (three emails, twice, half the book), use the simple form. The number counts finished things.
- I've written six emails this morning.
- She has called you three times.
- We've visited four flats this week.
- Incorrect: I've been writing six emails this morning.
- Correct: I've written six emails this morning.Six emails is a result you can count, so use the simple form.
- Incorrect: He has been drinking four cups of coffee today.
- Correct: He has drunk four cups of coffee today.
How long: usually continuous
When you say how long an action has been in progress, the continuous form is the usual choice for action verbs.
- I've been writing emails all morning.
- She has been calling you since nine o'clock.
- How long have you been waiting?
Compare the two questions:
- How long have you been interviewing people for the job?
- How many people have you interviewed?
State verbs: simple only
Verbs that describe a state, not an action, don't normally have a continuous form: be, know, have (= own), like, love, hate, want, need, believe, understand, belong. Use the simple form with them, even when you say how long.
- I've known Rita for fifteen years.
- We've had the same neighbours since we moved in.
- She has always wanted to live by the sea.
- Incorrect: I've been knowing Rita for fifteen years.
- Correct: I've known Rita for fifteen years.
- Incorrect: How long have you been having this laptop?
- Correct: How long have you had this laptop?Have meaning "own" is a state. (In I've been having lunch, have is an action, so -ing is fine.)
Live, work, study: both are possible
With verbs like live, work, study and teach, both forms are correct with for and since, and the difference is small. The continuous is a little more common for a situation that feels temporary, and the simple for one that feels permanent, especially with always.
- I've lived here for ten years. / I've been living here for ten years.
- I've been staying with friends for a few weeks.
(A temporary situation.)
- My parents have always lived in the same village.
(Permanent. We don't use the continuous with always in this meaning.)
Short, single actions: simple
For an action that happens once and is over in a moment (break, lose, arrive, start, finish, decide), use the simple form. The continuous would mean the action was repeated or went on for some time.
- I've lost my passport.
- The meeting has started.
- Incorrect: I've been breaking my glasses.
- Correct: I've broken my glasses.Breaking takes one moment. It isn't an activity that goes on.
Negative sentences with for and since
To say how long something has not happened, we normally use the simple form.
- I haven't seen Rita for months.
- He hasn't called since Tuesday.