Unit 41 — Present Perfect Simple and Continuous

Step 1 · Read the conversation

Sam and Priya meet after work. Notice what they emphasise: a completed result, an activity, or how long something has been happening.

Sam: You look tired. Have you been working all day?

Priya: Yes. I've been preparing a presentation since nine o'clock.

Sam: Have you finished it?

Priya: I've finished most of it, but I haven't checked the figures yet.

Sam: How long have you been using that new computer?

Priya: For about a month. It's much faster than my old one.

Sam: I've used it a few times, but I haven't learned all its features.

Priya: Look at your hands! Have you been painting?

Sam: Yes, I've been painting the kitchen. I've painted two walls so far, and I'll do the others tomorrow.

Think about it: “I've painted two walls” focuses on the completed result. “I've been painting the kitchen” focuses on the activity, which may still be continuing.

Step 2 · Check your understanding

Choose the best answer. Feedback appears when you select an option.

1. What has Priya been doing since nine o'clock?

Preparing a presentation. Checking all the figures.

2. Has Priya finished the whole presentation?

Yes, everything is finished. No, she still needs to check the figures.

3. What does Sam mean by “I've painted two walls so far”?

He has completed two walls. He has been painting for exactly two hours.

4. Why does Sam say “Have you been painting?”

He asks about a life experience. He sees evidence of a recent activity.

Step 3 · Notice the difference

Both forms connect the past with the present. The difference is often what the speaker wants to emphasise.

Present perfect simple	Present perfect continuous
Focus on a result, completion, amount or number. I've written three emails. She's repaired the bike.	Focus on the activity, duration or repeated effort. I've been writing emails all morning. She's been repairing the bike.
Often used with verbs that describe states: know, believe, own. I've known her for years.	Often used for activities that can continue over time. I've been waiting for an hour.
Can describe a completed activity with a present result. I've cleaned the kitchen. It looks great.	Can describe a recent activity, perhaps with visible evidence; it may or may not be finished. I've been cleaning the kitchen. I'm exhausted.

Important: Some verbs, such as live, work and study, can occur in either form with little difference in meaning: I've lived here for five years / I've been living here for five years. Context decides which emphasis is more natural.

Common time expressions: for, since, all day, all morning, lately, recently. They can occur with either form; don't choose the tense from the time expression alone.

Step 4 · Choose the form

Choose the form that best fits the meaning in each context.

1. The kitchen is spotless. I ______ it.

have cleaned have been cleaning

2. Your clothes are covered in paint. ______ the spare room?

Have you painted Have you been painting

3. I've ______ four pages so far.

written been writing

4. He ______ for the bus for forty minutes, and it still hasn't arrived.

has waited has been waiting

5. I've ______ Maria since we were at school.

known been knowing

6. Sorry I'm late. I've ______ to get through to the office all morning.

tried been trying

7. She ______ three books by that author. She loves them.

has read has been reading

8. How long ______ English?

have you studied have you been studying both can be correct

Step 5 · Correct the mistakes

Rewrite each sentence. Press Return or move to another field to check it. Contractions are accepted.

1. I've been knowing Jo for ten years.

2. I've been writing five emails this morning, and they're all finished.

3. How long have you been waited here?

4. She has worked on the same report all morning and still hasn't finished it. (Rewrite to emphasise the ongoing activity.)

Step 6 · Complete the sentences

Use the verb in brackets in the present perfect simple or continuous. Type the whole verb phrase or sentence as requested.

1. The ground is wet. It __________ (rain).

2. I __________ (finish) the report, so you can read it now.

3. She __________ (learn) Spanish for two years, and she has lessons every week.

4. They __________ (build) the new bridge since March. It isn't open yet.

5. We __________ (make) twelve cakes so far.

6. You look exhausted. __________ you __________ (run)?

7. He __________ (own) that shop since 2016.

8. I __________ (try) to contact you all afternoon.

Step 7 · Describe the evidence

For each situation, write one sentence using the present perfect simple or continuous. Several answers may be possible; choose the form that expresses your intended meaning.

1. The floor is clean now. You cleaned it.

2. Your friend has flour on their hands and there is flour on the table. They are making bread.

3. You have completed six exercises today.

4. Your neighbour started practising the piano two hours ago and is still practising.

5. You and a friend first met in 2015 and still know each other.

Step 8 · Write about recent activities

Write about 100–150 words. Describe something you have completed recently, something you have been doing, and how long you have been doing an activity. Try to use both forms naturally.

Self-check

I used the simple to emphasise a result, amount or completed task. I used the continuous to emphasise an activity or its duration. I used at least one expression with for or since. I checked that the verb can naturally occur in the form I chose.

Final reminder: The simple often foregrounds a result or amount; the continuous often foregrounds an activity or duration. With verbs such as live and work, either form may be natural. Use meaning and context to decide.