 |  |
| Mike has been repairing the car. The car cannot run now. We use the Present Perfect Continuous for an action happening over a period of time. We are thinking of Mike doing the repair and the car cannot run now. | Mike has repaired the car. He is showing the repairing cost to the owner. We use the Present Perfect Simple for a complete action. We are thinking of the finished repair and the result of the repair that the car is alright now. |
Present Perfect Simple or Continuous
Let’s see some more example.
| OVER A PERIOD (have been doing) | COMPLETE (have done) |
| We‘ve been touring England. A strong wind has been blowing all day. Vicky is out of breath. She‘s been running. I‘ve been writing an essay. I’m tired now. | We‘ve finished our tour of England. The wind has blown a tree over. Vicky is here at last. She has run all the way. I‘ve written an essay. I can hand it in now. |
| We normally use the continuous form when we say how long. | We normally use the simple form when we say how much/many |
| Rachel has been playing music all day. I‘ve been ironing shirts since ten o’clock. How long have you been learning to drive? | Rachel has played at least twenty CDs. I‘ve ironed eight shirts. How many driving lessons have you learnt? |
States and actions
We cannot normally use the continuous form with a state verb.
I‘ve known the secret for a long time. (correct)
I‘ve been knowing the secret for a long time. (not correct)
My parents have had this car for about ten years. (correct)
My parents have been having this car for about ten years. (not correct)
We‘ve never been very happy here, I’m afraid. (correct)
We‘ve never been being very happy here, I’m afraid. (not correct)
Live and work (=have a job) can be Continuous or Simple, with no difference in meaning.
We have been living here since 1992. (correct)
We have lived here since 1992. (correct)
Sarah has been working for the company for three years now. (correct)
Sarah has worked for the company for three years now. (correct)